Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 8th June
Abbot Paul • June 7, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 8th June 2022
Lockdown taught us to take things slowly and open our eyes to see what we had failed to see before as we rushed quickly by from one thing to another. My favourite walk, and Toby’s too, remains our early morning discovery trail, Toby sniffing out the previous night’s activity, while I listen in wonderment to our feathered friends and observe with amazement the flowers that have come into full bloom from one day to the next, some with the most delicate and refreshing perfume. I just wish this heavenly walk could last an hour more, but I have to get back indoors for Morning Office and Toby to delight in his first siesta of the day. I know it’s only 6.15am, but that’s a dog’s life!
Another Feria, thank God, today and we continue with our reading of Matthew, (Mt 5: 17-19). We’re still in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus is speaking with his disciples, sharing with them his insights into the Law of Moses.
“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. 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.”
It's a short passage, but an important one. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that he has not come to abolish the Law or the teaching of the Prophets, but to complete and fulfil what was taught in what we call the Old Testament. Its purpose must be achieved, but this is where he will differ from the scribes and the Pharisees. Their interpretation is not inspired by the mind or will of God, but rather by their thirst for power and desire to dominate and control others less learned than themselves. Jesus calls on his disciples not only to keep the Law themselves, but to teach others to do the same, by example as well as by teaching. The Sermon on the Mount is, in fact, Jesus’ reinterpretation of the Law and the Prophets according to the mind of God and his plan of salvation for all those who listen to the words of Jesus and act accordingly. We will discover that Jesus goes to the very heart of God’s intentions. What did God mean, what was he proposing with each aspect of the Law? Day by day now we will find out.
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.
