Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 26th April 2023
Abbot Paul • April 26, 2023
Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day, yet cold, especially in the shade. I drove down to my mother’s for an early lunch, fresh and delicious, so that I could then take her to yet another clinic for her sixth Covid jab. She’s never returned to the same place twice and it always seems to be an ad hoc arrangement. Volunteer staff are invariably punctual and polite: it was a delight to see them interacting with my mum, the conversation centring on squirrels and sunflower hearts. My mother wages a constant battle against an astute fellow, the most handsome squirrel I have ever set eyes on and with the bushiest tail. On the way back, I stopped for a few minutes just opposite the Skirrid to enjoy the fresh air and take a few photographs.
​We began reading John chapter 6 on Friday last, but have missed two days of the Discourse on the Bread of Life due to the feasts of St George and St Mark, that had proper readings. We return to John today, (Jn 6: 35-40). Jesus is addressing the crowd. You will remember that the episode began with the feeding of the five thousand and then moved to Capernaum.
“I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst.
But, as I have told you,
you can see me and still you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I shall not turn him away;
because I have come from heaven, not to do my own will,
but to do the will of the one who sent me.
Now the will of him who sent me
is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me,
and that I should raise it up on the last day.
Yes, it is my Father’s will
that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,
and that I shall raise him up on the last day.”
Although he fed the five thousand with the five loaves and two fish offered by a small boy, Jesus points out to the crowd that he himself is the true bread, the bread of life, and that feeding on him, coming to him and believing in him, will take away any deep and insatiable hunger and thirst they might have, the hunger for forgiveness and thirst for everlasting life. Jesus insists that he will not turn anyone away, because he has come down from heaven not to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him. It is the Father’s will that no one should be lost. What is more, it is the Father’s will that whoever sees Jesus and truly believes in him and obeys him, will have eternal life and be raised up by God on the last day. The message of Jesus is one of consolation and hope. No one will be turned away. All we need do is believe in him and come to him with a repentant and open heart.
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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.
