Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday - 6th March 2024
Abbot Paul • March 5, 2024
​The three monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, are intimately linked to each other historically, theologically and spiritually. In the case of Christianity, it rose directly out of Judaism, centred as it is on the person of Jesus Christ, whom we believe to be the true Messiah, Son of God incarnate and Saviour of the world. The New Testament was written at a juncture in the history of the early Church, when Christians were forming a new religion, rooted in and yet becoming separate from Judaism. Founded on the Old, they were becoming the people of the New Covenant, sealed in the blood of Christ, the glory of his resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles of Paul and the other Apostles and the Book of Revelation, written over a 70 year period, witnessed to that process by which the disciples and followers of the Way became local communities of believers, separate from the synagogue, Christians belonging to the mystical Body of Christ, the Church of God.
​Today’s Gospel passage comes from Matthew, (Mt 5: 17-19), a short section from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus appears as the new Moses, interpreting in a new and dynamic way, the commandments given to Israel through Moses on Mount Sinai, by acceptance of which the Hebrews were constituted as the people of the Covenant. It’s interesting to note what Jesus says, speaking with his disciples: “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.” Jesus makes it quite clear that he has not come to abolish but to complete or fulfil the Law and the Prophets, the faith of Israel. Jesus does not see his coming as a break with the past, but rather as its fulfilment for he proclaims God’s law of love with its intended and authentic interpretation. He reveals to us the mind of God and the true spirit of the Law. “I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.” Who would these teachers be who infringe the Law and teach others to do the same? In the first place, the scribes or doctors of the Law, then the leaders of the Pharisee party and finally the chief priests. In fact, throughout the Gospel, Jesus is at loggerheads with all three groups. It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t condemn them outright, rather he consigns them to be among the “least in the kingdom of heaven.”
​What does this mean for us? Jesus would say that we respect the Scriptures and the teaching of Moses and the Prophets and that we take the commandments seriously. Above all, he would want us to follow his own teaching on the Law and live according to the example he has given us. Lord Jesus, this Lent and always, teach us to love the word of God and its teaching and to live, following your example of love and compassion. Amen.
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.
Archbishop Mark O'Toole, of Cardiff-Menevia presided at the Requiem Mass for Bishop Mark, while Abbot Brendan conducted his burial. Cardinal Vincent Nichols preached a homily full of warmth and affection for Bishop Mark which is reproduced below.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB RIP Given at his funeral by Dom Alexander Kenyon Baby Jean Pierre (Mark) Jabale was born on October 16th, 1933, in Alexandria, Egypt. As he said, himself, his background could be considered “cosmopolitan”: his father was Lebanese / French and his Mother, British / Greek / French. He also reminded people that he wasn’t Egyptian. Through his mother, Arlette, he was related to St. Jean Vianney, so it was, perhaps, no surprise that he followed in his priestly footsteps. His father, Jean, was MD of Fiat and Simca cars Europe and, maybe surprisingly or not, he did love a car – not, however, Italian cars, but German; he loved his Audis. Perhaps we should begin today by remembering his mother and father, his brothers Christian and Paul and his nieces, here today, Aline and Nathalie and Isabelle and their families – they were so dear to him and he to them and I know they miss him enormously. Young Jean wanted to join the Navy and came to England, to Belmont Abbey school but the Lord had other ideas – he ended up joining the rather land locked monastery, our dear, late Fr. Raymund opining that he wouldn’t last a month. After a rather uninspiring course of priestly studies (his words, not mine) he studied for a Licentiate in French literature in Fribourg, then a Dip Ed at Strawberry Hill and played Rugby there – the Papist Witch Doctor as he was affectionately known. Teaching followed, at Belmont, Housemaster, acting Headmaster, then to Alderwasley, our prep school in Derbyshire as Headmaster, and then back to Belmont soon after as Headmaster. In 1983 he went to Peru to build our first monastery there only to realise there was little money. So, he returned to the UK to put in a stint of fundraising with his usual zeal and determination. With his mission accomplished he was asked by Abbot Alan to return to Belmont as his prior in 1986 – Peru remained close to his heart. In 1993 he was elected Abbot. In his time as Abbot, he had to preside over the closure of the school, necessary but no less painful for him. In 2000 he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Menevia and succeeded Bishop Mullins in 2001. He retired as Ordinary in 2008 and “retired” to Chipping Norton as parish priest, then Hendon, saying Mass for the nuns and helping with confirmations. After a spell at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, living with his great friend Cardinal Nichols, he came home to Belmont – it was as though he had never been away and he loved being back in the monastery, particularly praying the Office with the community. That’s the list, of sorts, but it doesn’t really say “who” he was. I haven’t mentioned his outstanding contribution to rowing – the 1979 coxless, lightweight four gold medal at the world championships in Bled, which almost didn’t happen as, at the last minute, he was told there was no money to send the crew. He begged, cajoled and got them there – the video footage of the final is compelling. He transformed Henley Royal Regatta, writing a computer programme for the race results – he was well ahead of his time. He coached the Oxford Boat, ran the Heads of the River Schools Regatta, and more. What an achievement from someone who had never sat in a boat but learned on the job, as he said, “from books, mainly”. It was his determination, his commitment, his love of people and his drive to share what he had that is, perhaps, one of the key things to celebrate about him. And it was underpinned by his rock-solid faith – nothing overly pious, nothing showy, but a faith and a love of the Lord built on granite. Even his occasional lack of patience (sorry Mark) extended to that faith; ‘why won’t God call me?”. At the risk of being irreverent my response was always “would you want you?”. But God did want him, and he knew it. God had a purpose for his Apostle during his life and he now rests with Him in eternity. His purpose was, simply, to bring the joy of the Lord into the lives of others, in many and varied ways. A few weeks before Mark died, Pope Francis died. When the late Pope was seriously ill the son of friends of mine who entertained Mark and I to lunch regularly, was distraught at overhearing mum and dad say the Pope may die. He couldn’t stop crying. “But darling”, they said, “you don’t know the Pope, why so very sad?”. “We do know him” came the reply, “it’s Mark”. “No, Mark isn’t the Pope”. “Oh, so when the Pope does die will Mark be Pope then?”. Mark loved that one. When Mark himself did die said son would only be pacified by picking flowers from the garden and bringing them to church for him. He wanted to show how much Mark meant to him and wanted to give a little something back. That is the real biography – a man loved, respected, a man who shared what he had, above all his faith, a man who touched so many lives and made them better.  Rest in peace our dear friend.
Our brethren in Peru were delighted with the election of Pope Leo.
