Little glorious here

I'm always disturbed when I hear Catholics (or for that matter adherents of any religion or philosophy) talking about martyrdom in terms of glory. This is what twenty first century martyrdom looks like and if you live as sheltered a life as me and therefore don't want to see it, don't click this link.

Sharia Law

Having a parallel system of justice is wicked. Awful. Making people live up to a moral code is awful. We should definitely close down every single Sharia court simply for existing because it isn't British law.

Oh. Wait.

The Face of Islam in the UK

Reasonable, Calm, Collected, Loving, Socially Responsible

Thank heavens that this is what Islam looks and sounds like in the United Kingdom.

Thank heavens that this is not what the United Kingdom looks like. I know who I'd rather have running my country.

Love in Woolwich

This morning St Columbanus, the sixth century Irish missionary, tells us in the Office of Readings that "God is everywhere, utterly vast, and everywhere near at hand". Vast enough to consume the wickedness in Woolwich yesterday and near enough at hand to comfort the family of the soldier who was murdered. There are reports that a woman knelt beside his body yesterday and prayed. A moment of love in amongst so much hatred.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him; may he rest in peace.

Interdenomenational Dialogue

I thought I'd share this heart warming story from Facebook.

 n was walking along Cornmaket [Street] today with a priest and encountered a gentleman of the evangelical persuasion engaging in a conversation with a crowd about gay and black people. [The priest n was with] paused for a moment and informed [the preacher], from a distance, that "we used to burn heretics like you". His good deed done for the day, [they] proceeded on [their] way.

 If you were wondering, the hate preacher in question was also of the American persuasion. Not that I have anything against americans... per se...

God bless our priests.

Unashamedly Church of Nice

Another day, another inflammatory video from "the angry man with the astonishing hair". It's a bit old now, but, as a young Catholic, who happily attends and serves the Vetus Ordo, is loyal to the pope, loves Christ, hates abortion and harbours an unchristian lack of charity towards wishy washy liberals, I want to firmly pledge allegiance to the Church of Nice that Voris derides. That is because the Church of Nice is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Catholics ought to be nice people because Christ was the ultimate in nice blokes: he told the truth about some things which aren't nice, like Hell, but don't forget that it was him that came up with the beatitudes. Catholics ought to be tolerant: no one suggests that Our Lord agreed with the sinners he ate and drank with, but not only did He tolerate their presence, He sought them out. I desire that everyone in the world be Catholic, but I'm big enough and ugly enough to deal with the fact that my faith is uncertain and that not everyone agrees with me and that they're very welcome not to do so.

He opens this video with a comment about division and lack of charity. The devil exists because of a division he caused in Heaven. He continues to cause division. Christ prayed that all be one. Divisions are evil. As for charity, has Voris ever been to a wedding? Lack of charity is a fault. Climate Change is a problem. If you're american and you think otherwise, look who's funding the ill informed literature you've been reading. Since it seems Voris hasn't read any theology later than Augustine, he probably hasn't come across the extensive literature of the theology of the environment. Christ warns us in the strongest terms that we sin by being judgemental. Indeed, he spends five whole verses of Matthew's Gospel doing so. People Poverty is also a collosal issue we ought to be dealing with. If you think otherwise, I'll just give you one from a wealth of quotations I could have mentioned.

And now, suppose that a man has the worldly goods he needs, and sees his brother go in want; if he steels his heart against his brother, how can we say that the love of God dwells in him? My little children, let us shew our love by the true test of action, not by taking phrases on our lips. (1 John 3:17-18)

 So, in short, Michael Voris, stop talking about God, go meet him instead.

Not All Bleak

BBC News reports that two Catholic midwives have won their legal battle not to have to take part in abortions. They had not been forced to take part in themselves, but had been told to delegate, supervise and support staff who were willing to take part in them. This is important since it means we ourselves are defended against having to act against our concience, but it is unlikely to save babies lives. It says something about a piece of legislation when the only good thing about it is the get out clause. Nevertheless, thank you Lady Dorrian and Lords Mackay and McEwan for upholding the right to concience.

I came across this poem a while back

June 03, 1982, 11 PM

Dear Susan,

The urge to tell my daughter what’s gnawing at my gut.
The agony of watching her slide toward a one-way rut;

There’s nothing quite so devastating to the father’s mind
As finding out he’s dropped-the-ball and now his girl’s entwined.
In mental anguish, doubt and fear
— And, worst of all, self hate —
And questioning there in the mirror
if by now it is too late.

And putting off decision, commitment to repair
the damage done by all involved, the guilt of which I share.

I read a poem a while ago about a test she failed.
Though eloquent it surely was the logic somehow trailed.

As if life granted one big test — and then the Judgement made,
we’d never have a second chance, nor values we could trade.

Thank God it doesn’t work that way. Thank God there’s other chances —
to Accept Him as He said, The Vine, and take our place as Branches.

Discouragement is Satan’s tool that prunes us from the Vine,
He’ll try to get us all messed up, our emotions he’ll entwine.

Then piling on the doubt and fear, he’ll say with exclamation:
Stay back! Go away! You’re just no good — for Reconciliation!

But if you only understood how much He loves you!
Why He hung on that cross!
How much He wants you back!
If you only understood how much He wants you back!
I’m sorry for hurting you so much.
I love you.

Dad