Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 17th July
Abbot Paul • July 17, 2022
For us at General Chapter yesterday was a half day and today a free day, so I’m hoping to visit some ancient country churches as well as Exeter Cathedral, one of the many medieval cathedrals of England I have not seen. Yesterday I dedicated an hour in the afternoon to a little retail therapy at the abbey shops. They have an excellent bookstore and shops that sell products from other monasteries, especially in France. Because of the good weather, I particularly enjoy eating breakfast and supper in the open air: it’s great fun and so relaxing. The work is serious and can be hard, but I can’t help feeling that I’m on holiday! It must be one of the effects of Lockdown!
Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus and friends of Jesus from Bethany, are two of the most well-known characters in the Bible. We meet them in the Gospels of John and of Luke, (Lk 10: 38-42), and it is Luke whom we read today. Martha appears to be the elder of the two, for it is she who welcomes Jesus to her house. Whereas Martha is busy preparing a meal for their guest, “Mary sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking.” This upset Martha, who was expecting Mary to help her. We should remember that Jesus could not have been travelling alone and would not have been alone in the company of a woman. There must have been a whole retinue of disciples and followers to attend to. Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.” I wonder if they had servants or other family members to help. Anyway, Jesus replies, “Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.” Let’s be clear: this is not a reprimand or a failure to recognise the important work that Martha is doing, but Jesus is saying to Martha, “Look, I have come to see you, not just to eat in your house. I want to see you and speak with you, just as I am with your sister Mary. The food can wait. The perfect host stays with her guests.” In other words, first things first, and in the case of Jesus, he wants our time, our attention, our hearts, our very selves, our lives. His material needs are few, but his desire for our hearts and minds is great indeed. Let us never forget that, while not forgetting lesser things too. The same goes for other relationships too.
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.
