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.
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.
