Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 7th September
Abbot Paul • September 7, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 7th September 2022
After months of dry weather, often very hot as well, on Monday night the heavens finally opened and, with thunder and lightning, we had a night’s heavy rainfall. However, the ground was so dry, that yesterday morning the grass was dry underfoot once more as Toby and I took stock of Belmont by the first light of dawn.
Our Gospel passage for today presents us with Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, (Lk 6: 20-26). Strangely, considering that this is Luke, they are not as poetic as Matthew’s, which we find in the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5: 1-12). Luke’s Beatitudes are raw and to the point, frightening and even threatening, I would say. This is what we read today:
“Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’”
Jesus stares hard at his disciples, fixing his gaze on them. They cannot hope to escape from what he is about to say. Those who are truly blessed are the poor, the hungry, the sorrowful and those who are hated, rejected and persecuted now, for the kingdom of God is theirs and they will be rewarded in such a way that they will rejoice and dance for joy in the age to come. Their sufferings are for the present age alone, for when the kingdom is fully inaugurated, it will be theirs for all eternity. On the other hand, those having a good time now, for whom everything is going well in every respect, had better beware and think twice, for this world is the only heaven they will enjoy and ahead for them lies what the blessed are going through now. The roles will be reversed. Jesus is not afraid to warn his disciples that catastrophe can lie ahead for those who seek the good life here on earth.
I must confess that it is this version of the Beatitudes that makes me think seriously about my life and how I live it, my goals and how I seek them. As St Benedict asks of his novices in the Holy Rule, “Are you truly seeking God?” I ask myself today, Am I truly seeking God?
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.
