Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 21st September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 21, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 21st September 2022
Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostle and Evangelist St Matthew and our Gospel reading comes from his Gospel, (Mt 9: 9-13), describing that precious moment in his life as a tax collector, when Jesus came into his life and invited him to become a disciple. Who would have guessed that Jesus would do this? Not Matthew, for sure. It happened out of the blue. “As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” The response is as radical as the call.
Later on, at dinner, a number of tax collectors and sinners are at table with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees complain to the disciples that he should allow this to happen, but Jesus replies, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.’ And indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.” Jesus comes as a physician to heal the sick and to forgive sinners. These are the most consoling and encouraging words in the Scriptures, that the Father has sent his Son into our world to forgive us our sins and reconcile us with Himself. The truth is that if Matthew can become a disciple, then so can I. Thanks be to God.
Many have asked for photographs of our monastery and community in Peru. Well, last night recreation involved shelling peas and kidney beans. All our food is fresh and much of it produced by the monks. No tins, no packets and no frozen foods! Instead, a lot of hard work and a healthy diet. Delicious.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
