Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 21, 2023
Today’s Gospel passage from Luke (Lk 19: 11-29) contains a parable very similar to the Parable of the Talents that we heard from Matthew’s Gospel last Sunday. There are similarities, but they are also quite different and Luke’s parable seems to be made up of two separate parables that have somehow been conflated. This isn’t the place to discuss the many points of difference and similarity, interesting as they are, but you could look up a good Bible commentary or read some of the fine articles to be found online. The context in which Jesus preached the parable is also quite different. Here Jesus has left Jericho and is making his way to Jerusalem. “While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there.”
Jesus preaches to a crowd that is expecting the kingdom of God to be inaugurated at any moment. Their hope is for an earthly kingdom and they are convinced that Jesus will inaugurate it, but Jesus warns them that the kingdom is not “of this world” nor will it come soon. The end of the world will surely happen but not yet. What people must do in the meantime is prepare for the coming of the kingdom by investing in and working with the gifts that God has given them, symbolised by the pound mentioned in the parable. It’s interesting to note that all ten servants are given the same amount to start with; no one has an advantage over his neighbour. That might not always be true in the material or financial world, but it is true in the spiritual world. God loves each one of us equally and unconditionally and only wants what is best for us. All God wants is our salvation and that we increase the many graces he has given us in his infinite loving kindness. Lord, be with us as we walk along the road of life with you, the road that leads to your kingdom. Amen.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
