The futility of labelling people

Occasionally the dull and ignorant like give people labels depending on their views. 

It amuses me that when I stand up for the right to life of a child in the womb I get called "conservative".  

When I stand up for the right to life of a murderer on death row I get called a "liberal".

When I stand up fit the right to life of civilians in Pakistan being terrorised by drones I get labelled a "pacifist". 

Three labels. None of them accurate. 

Real Marriage

There has been a lot of discussion recently as to what marriage really means, how to define it and whether it is relevant anymore. 

This video summarises all that needs to be said in less than four minutes:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=GH5n9lVZcM4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGH5n9lVZcM4

Sometimes I would see videos like this and be jealous if those who've been married for so long - I didn't get married until I was forty - but now I know it was worth the wait. 

A husband is the head of his household in the same way Christ is head of the Church. No husband has ever loved his wife as Christ has loved us but He strengthens us by His grace. 

Et incarnatus est

I don't go to Mass in English very often in Hong Kong - my wife and I preferring the extraordinary form (Latin Mass) but yesterday I did so in our local parish.

I miss music that everyone sings along to (Gregorian chant), the priest facing the altar with us, the silence and powerful words of the older Mass but at least I don't get irritated any more during the creed. 

The hippy translation of the Creed that we had to use in Hong Kong until last November managed to somehow miss out the incarnation. The Word of God becoming human in His Blessed Mother's womb obviously wasn't seen as important enough to be mentioned. 

Thank God - and the Emeritus Pope Benedict - that the translation now reads, "Incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man."  This, along with various other improvements it makes the modern form of the Mass a little more palatable. 

I have to remind myself that to be present at Mass in whatever form and especially to be able to receive the Holy Eucharist is  an amazing privilege. 

We should be in a state of profound gratitude every time for Christ leaving us His body, blood, soul and divinity - and thank Him for dying on the cross and for rising again every time we approach the altar. 

Deo gratias. 

The Blessed Margaret?

Over the last few days I have seen numerous people opining about the recently departed Baroness Thatcher.

Comments following her death ranged from adulation and hero worship to a vulgar celebration of her death.

I recognise that she did a great deal to restore freedom and liberty to a nation wrecked by obscene levels of taxation and powerful unions barons. Those cracking open the champagne don't seem to recall the winters of discontent under the previous, Labour government.

Margaret Thatcher was a Christian with Methodist roots who worshipped with the CofE but sadly her policies and voting records did not support the most basic human right - that of an unborn child to live.

The British nation prospered as a whole under Thatcher but sadly some communities were also impoverished. She fought and defended British rule in the Falklands although some would say that she glorified in war. She loathed communism but was far sighted enough to do business with them and played a key part in the end of the cold war.

Am I alone in neither loving nor hating her? Thank God that He is her judge and not me. As a Catholic my duty is to pray for her and for all who have died.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen

Happy Easter!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Christus resurrexit! Christ is risen!

In the words of Pope Francis:

"Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness, and that is where death is ... let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life!"

Happy Easter!

Pope Francis to meet Benedict XVI

Some analysts were wondering why Pope Francis chose today to meet his predecessor.

I think it's obvious - the bus didn't run until today.

Is the Pope a Catholic?

Something that never fails to amaze me is that after almost 2,000 years of the papacy, so many people expect a new Pope to change Catholic dogma.

One acquaintance of mine, a relatively well educated Anglican, said she was relieved that the new Pope believed in the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception.

The fact is, the Pope doesn't have the authority to change doctrines and to overrule God's commandment, "Thou shall not murder" isn't possible.

"But I know Catholics who don't agree with this." I hear you say. Well, sorry to be blunt, but if someone, knowing the church teaching on the sanctity of human life or any other teaching regarding dogma publicly denies this, as opposed to genuinely misunderstanding it, then they're not Catholic.

I am excited by the Pontificate of Pope Francis and whilst he is a man of surprises in so many ways, we know beyond any doubt that he isn't about to change Catholic dogma revealed by God.

Does Pope Francis believe in the right to life?

Yes - or as others might put it, "Is the Pope a Catholic?"