This year will mark a significant wedding anniversary for myself and my wife and is well worth celebrating. Celebration is at the heart of what it means to be human and is therefore important for us all.

Put simply, celebration is showing we are happy about something. Happiness can be expressed in any number of ways.

People of Faith celebrate “Rites of Passage,” birth, coming of age, marriage and death in particular. For many christians this speaks of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony and Funerals. For Catholics a Sacrament is a sacred moment which makes real what it symbolises. The presence and power of God is manifested in the moment both in the person and communally in the body of believers gathered for the celebration.

The Christian story is one of celebration which is told in worship, prayer and liturgy. A teenage peasant girl is visited by an angel to announce the greatest event in human history; God the Creator becoming present in his creation. This event contains within itself the promise of the liberation of humankind from degradation and futility brought about by sin and separation from God. Eternal life no less in a resurrected body, made possible by the Jesus’ death and Resurrection which is what Christians have just celebrated at Easter.

What’s more, this saving event upon which all else that really matters is based, is celebrated and made present in the Eucharist offered on altars all over the world each day.

Today the Church celebrates “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Like the good shepherd, Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. That’s not only for the Jews but for everyone – you and me. Jesus wants to reach out to everyone including those who do not value or celebrate life from conception to the grave or oligarchs who do not celebrate democracy or freedom. Mary’s “yes” makes change possible for everyone.

Christians are undergoing terrible persecution throughout the world at this time but we continue to celebrate all that’s good in life.

How sad for those who don’t. Being truly human and celebration are synonymous.

But the victory has been won and there is no going back. Christian martyrs are at the forefront of this new Easter Life both now in the present moment and in eternity. Worth celebrating?

We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song.   

Those of us who celebrate the historical event of the Resurrection welcome Jesus Christ among us today in His Body the Church and we are called to live the Gospel imperative to care for the poor and disadvantaged. To build a new world which looks to the everlasting Kingdom to which all are called.

This is highlighted in the quotes below from Justin Welby and Pope Francis.

If the Resurrection is true, our whole life must be based on this reality and to

 give Jesus the first place in everything.

Choose a better future for all, Justin Welby tells UK (Guardian)

The archbishop of Canterbury has called on Britons to be more generous as they emerge from the pandemic, urging people to provide a “better future for all” rather than living in a society that only benefits the rich and powerful.

In his Easter Sunday sermon, Justin Welby, the most senior bishop in the Church of England, said society had a choice to make as it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We can go on as before Covid, where the most powerful and the richest gain and so many fall behind,” he said at Canterbury Cathedral. “We have seen where that left us. Or we can go with the flooding life and purpose of the resurrection of Jesus, which changes all things, and choose a better future for all.”

He criticised the government’s plan to reduce the amount it spends on international aid at a time of global crisis. “The overwhelming generosity of God to us should inspire the same by us, in everything from private acts of love and charity to international aid generously maintained,” he said. “We have received overwhelmingly, so let us give generously.”

The Pope tells world to share coronavirus vaccines with the poor

The Pope called on the world to support the distribution of coronavirus vaccines in poor countries in his Easter message from St Peter’s Basilica, saying that the risen Christ gave hope and comfort to all those suffering as a result of the pandemic.

Francis said that everyone, especially the vulnerable, had a right to care and appealed to rich countries “to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries”. (Times Report)

The news that the UK will donate its surplus covid vaccine to poor countries after it has been offered to everyone at home gives cause for concern. Are we being selfish and in any case is this policy wise given that the virus is changing? We can’t come out of the pandemic alone. No one comes out of the pandemic until everyone does. If the Pandemic has taught us anything surely it is that we live in a global community. What affects one nation affects all nations.

Perhaps we might paraphrase Matthew’s gospel account of the last judgement 25: 31 – 46 when thinking about this question. “I was threatened by covid 19 and you gave me a vaccine – or didn’t.” The gospel tells us, “in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”  

The call for universal solidarity chimes well with the encyclical. “Fratelli Tutti from Pope Francis.

This is difficult for those waiting for their second vaccine. Yet have we rolled out the production of these vaccines to the fullest extent? Could there be a universal plan on the part of the developed countries with access to vaccine production to level the playing field?

Lets not go back to the way things were before. Perhaps the sharing of vaccines is the litmus test.     

UK Bishops hail Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty as historic milestone

UK Bishops again call on the United Kingdom “to forsake its nuclear arsenal” as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons comes into effect on 22 January.

By Vatican News staff reporter

On Friday, 22 January 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) comes into force.

Road to ratification

This Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons. It was adopted on 7 July 2017, and opened for signature on 20 September 2017.

On that same day, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, signed the Treaty at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. When Honduras ratified the treaty in late October 2020, it reached the mandatory 50 ratifications.

The Treaty comprehensively prohibits states from participating in any nuclear weapons-related activities, including development, testing, possession, stockpile, use, or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

Signatories are also obliged “to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited under the TPNW undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.”

A number of countries have objected to the Treaty. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France say it “risks undermining the existing international security architecture which contributes to the maintenance of international peace and security,” and that all states “share a common responsibility to protect and strengthen our collective security system in order to further promote international peace, stability, and security.”

Pope Francis on Nuclear Weapons

During his Apostolic Visit to Japan in November 2019, Pope Francis spoke of the “unspeakable horror” of nuclear weapons.

Visiting Nagasaki, he called on world leaders to end their stockpiling. “Convinced as I am that a world without nuclear weapons is possible and necessary,  I ask political leaders not to forget that these weapons cannot protect us from current threats to national and international security,” he said.

UK Bishops call

As the Treaty comes into force on 22 January, UK Bishops have described it as an “historic milestone on the path to nuclear disarmament and an opportunity to refocus on genuine peacebuilding rooted in dialogue, justice, respect for human dignity, and care for our planet.”

In a statement issued on Monday, Declan Lang, Bishop of Cliftonand Chair of the International Affairs Department, of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, along with Bishop William Nolan and Bishop William Kenney, reiterate their call for the UK “to forsake its nuclear arsenal.”

They point out that “the resources spent on manufacturing, maintaining and upgrading these weapons of mass destruction should be reinvested to alleviate the suffering of the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society, for the Common Good of all peoples.”

The Bishops also implore the UK government “to strengthen its arms control regulations, tackling the manufacture and sale of other weaponry, which continues to destroy so many lives throughout the world.”

Finally, they pray that the “Lord, Father of our human family,” will “move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.”

The invasion of the US Capitol building on Wednesday, which many commentators say was a direct result of President Trump’s rhetoric at a rally called on the day that the US Congress was set to certify the election of Joe Biden, gives pause for thought.

President Trump addressed the rally of his supporters and urged them to march to the Capitol building.  Did he think through the possible ramifications of urging his supporters to converge on the seat of American democracy on that particular day?

On deeper level, does President Trump really believe that the election was stolen and there was significant fraudulent voting, given the evidence to the contrary and that the election results have been  generally accepted in America and around the world? If not, what was his purpose in maintaining something which is patently untrue? If he does believe this assertion what does this show about his state of mind?

On the back of this question it is reasonable to ask whether his supporters on Wednesday believed the election was fraudulent.  Interviews with some supporters by the BBC would seem to show they did. If this is true, how could they believe it – I mean really believe it in the face of all the evidence?

Furthermore demonising the Democrats is hardly conducive to unity and good will among Americans.

Looking back in history there are plenty of examples of people seeking influence and power making false assertions, advancing ridiculous theories and ideologies which run counter to logic, fact, common sense and moral rectitude and yet are widely believed.

It seems that people can believe almost anything if the circumstances are right.  

• One race or ethnicity is better or superior than another
• Rich people are better and more worthy of esteem than poor people
• Climate change is an illusion
• Threatening the world with annihilation with weapons of mass destruction maintains peace
• Mothers ending the lives their unborn babies is an inalienable human right
• Same sex marriage is possible

—————————————————————————————————————

 Many who hold views which are counter cultural are too easily demonised.  

For example, Christians who are welcoming and non judgemental towards those with same a sex preference and support Civil Partnerships but maintain the time honoured and Scriptural understanding that marriage by definition is necessarily unitive and procreative, are accused of homophobia and not permitted (de facto) to hold office in government or serve as Registrars or in other similar professions on a conscientious objection basis.  

Similar prejudice is directed by many towards those who maintain that because an unborn baby is human it should be afforded the same rights as those whose voices can be heard. Paramount among human rights is the right to life.

Those who are pro life in fact have the deepest concern for the welfare of mothers -to -be and maintain that all too often poverty, sexual abuse by partners and pressure from others lead to abortion and it is these issues which really need to be addressed so that mothers enjoy the right to have their babies.

Many are too ready to believe;

• What they are told to believe
• What they want to believe for reasons extrinsic to the merits of the belief itself
• What prejudice and ignorance prompt them to believe

“Make America great again.”

By denying climate change? By building an expensive wall along the Mexican border? By leaving the WHO? By moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem? By permitting guns to be in the hands of mentally ill people so they can go on a killing spree? By not supporting the BLM demand for equal treatment for all Americans? By continuing the arms race?

By denying the truth about the election?

As Joe Biden said, it is an ‘embarrassment’ not to concede.  

Wednesday cost the lives of five people who might be walking around today.

There is much at stake and a great many lives lost due to the gullibility pandemic. It will take more than a mask to fix it. 

The Monday before last Janet Daby, UK shadow minister for faiths, women and equalities, resigned from her post. The reason for her going was that in a conversation with journalists organised on zoom by the Religion and Media Centre, Daby who is a Christian, said that “There needs to be something in place that protects people of faith being penalised for objecting to performing certain tasks because of their religious beliefs.” She had been asked specifically about whether registrars should be dismissed if they objected to same-sex marriage on faith grounds. The Daily telegraph reported her remarks and soon after she resigned apologising for her, “misjudged comments.” Evidently the reaction to her remarks was not favourable.

Both conscientious objection on matters of faith and free speech are basic human rights in a democracy you might think, especially in an ostensibly Christian country. Furthermore, this seems to fly in the face of the current campaign by Keir Starmer to banish anti-Semitism from the Party, whatever it takes.

This raises a vital question for us all. Is there a place in government for Christians?

Christians from Pope Francis, recognise the dignity of all. Civil Unions provide a legal framework for the protection and rights of same sex couples and Christians should be respectful to those with a disposition for same sex relationships.

It is not homophobic to maintain that same sex relationships which are neither procreative or unitive can be a marriage, given how marriage and family life has been understood since the dawn of time and how marriage is understood in the Bible and Church teaching for two thousand years, whatever the law may say.

Many now find themselves placed at the last minute in ‘Tier Four’ restrictions in the UK. This is a let down for those who had plans for a family get together, albeit limited this Christmas. People want the company of family and friends and everything associated with the Christmas celebrations. For many, even many non church goers there is a nod in the direction of the manger. For Christians, churches remain open for worship and Mass and for those shielding, worship is available on line. We celebrate an historical event which changes everything for everyone for all time, brings new life and a new way of living in the here and now and opens eternal life with God our Father and Creator of all that is.

This is a time when Christians, notwithstanding the secularisation and commercialisation of the season, joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus Son of God. A Saviour born in poverty to bring peace, justice and human wholeness in body mind and spirit to all.

So while the UK celebrates its Christmas story, which continues to be part of our identity as a community of nations, Christians like Janet Daby cannot remain in office and many continue to be marginalised and denied their basic human rights because of their Christian Faith.

But when we look at the manger we know that everything has changed – forever!

Jesus is the reason for the season!  

Try Graham Kendrick on You Tube – ‘Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again.’

https://www.bing.com/search?q=You+Tube+Graham+Kendrick+Christams+Nothing+will+ever+be+the+Same+Again&form=ANSPH1&refig=6e3a3cc7657d4de5acc6e0a1ea3907eb&pc=U531&sp=-1&ghc=1&pq=you+tube+graham+kendrick+christams+nothing+will+ever+be+the+sa&sc=0-62&qs=n&sk=&cvid=6e3a3cc7657d4de5acc6e0a1ea3907eb

In his recent teaching letter “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis speaks about our throw away society . But he is highlighting people, people who are regarded as dispensable. The poor, disabled and the unborn. (Paragraphs 18 – 19)

The Pandemic is having a disproportionate effect on the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly the old. The unborn and their mothers are under even more threat due to ‘do it yourself abortions’ where women have suffered serious harm and there are recorded deaths.

Each day we have the number of people who have died due to Covid and are numbed by the daily death toll.

Yet there are many who are responding with love and care, not least doctors, nurses , teachers and other numerous front line workers.

Where love is there is God.

In these times we can take stock. Everyone is valuable, priceless even. Let what is thrown away be selfish individualism and rubbish values.

All are leaders in one way or another. We give a lead in what we say, do and how we live. We may choose to give advice and offer our opinion which can make a difference.

We may have a leadership role in the family, work, community or political life. Our circumstances may have thrust this upon us for a mixture of reasons or we have chosen it.

We see leadership played out in the lives of those we know and on the world stage as in the American election for President.

Pause for thought: What does the lead we give say about us, our values, beliefs and convictions? How does the lead we give affect others? Do we see the lead we give as a responsibility?

It is clear, leadership can be self serving or spring from inner needs. On the other hand it can be altruistic. We have risen to the task we see before us.

Having accepted the challenge there may be times we would like to step back and have a quiet life like the servant in last Sunday’s gospel at Mass. He buried his master’s talent in the ground and on the master’s return when this came came to light, has the talent taken away and given to the servant who had been given five talents and who had made five more.

“For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)

So leadership involves using our gifts and talents in the service or others according to the needs we see around us as the opportunity arises.

Role models are important and it is heartening to recall Pope Francis holding up Martin Luther King Jnr and Dorothy Day as great Americans when he addressed Congress on 24th September 2015 on his visit to the States. King was assassinated as we know and Dorothy Day gave her life for the downtrodden and those on the margins and was a peace campaigner.

These are challenging times and all are challenged.

As Martin Luther King said on the eve of his death, ” Like anybody I would like to live a long life. longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the Mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

I received the following from the Society for the Protection of Unborn (SPUC) Children today;

“Today marks fifty – three years since the passing of the abortion Act on 27th October 1967.

Since then, more than nine and a half million babies have lost their lives to abortion. Countless mothers have suffered.

Please pray

Today, we pause to mourn and remember those impacted by abortion. Please spend some time in prayer, or take a minute in silence to remember.

We also use this anniversary to reflect on the challenges we are facing, and to recommit ourselves to abolishing the evil of abortion. 2020 has seen some of the worst expansions in abortion practice since 1967, with abortion being officially imposed on Northern Ireland, and the deadly DIY abortion scheme coming in at the beginning of lockdown.

The challenges we face are very great. But we know that we have science, and truth, on our side. The pro-life position is very simple. Life begins at conception, and every human life is valuable and worthy of protection. We shall continue to proclaim these facts, and strand up for unborn babies and their mothers.”

I would add, God, loving Creator of the universe and Father of all is on our side.

Why is progressive or left of centre politics so pro abortion in contrast with the political right?

 In America at the moment some church leaders are favouring Donald Trump because of his pro life stance which has undoubtedly had a significant impact in advancing pro life policy at home and abroad since he took office. His pro life support is well documented on line for those seeking detail.

Joe Biden, a Catholic, is apparently pro choice.

Protecting babies in the womb is overwhelmingly the pre eminent issue it is argued, given the numbers of abortions. So whoever is the most pro life presidential candidate is the one to vote for it is said no matter how lacking in acumen for the top job he may be.

It is a puzzle how the left can campaign for human rights in areas of race, gender and social class and not apply to the unborn any human rights at all, especially as unborn babies are the weakest and most vulnerable!

Christians hold fast to the gospel imperative of social justice spelled out in the social teaching of the Church while at the same time championing the fundamental right to life of the unborn. The two are of a piece. A single woven fabric which proclaims how precious all human beings are in the sight of God.

The common denominator is that all are made in God’s image and that all are precious and irreplaceable in God’s sight. We are all brothers and sisters as Pope Francis reminds us vividly and eloquently in his recent encyclical teaching, ‘Fratelli Tutti.’ His words about migrants can easily be applied to the unborn.

“Migrants are not seen as entitled like others to participate in the life of society, and it is forgotten that they posses the same intrinsic dignity as any person.. No one will ever openly deny that they are human beings, yet in practice, by our decisions and the way we treat them, we show that we consider them less worthy, less important, less human.”

The gospel holds together the rights of all whether migrants or the unborn as daughters and sons of our Creator God.

If there was a political party that championed the rights of all – those on the margins of society, minorities, migrants, the poor and the unborn, Christians wouldn’t be faced with the conundrum they face in the American elections. An American who did have the whole deal later in her life following her conversion to the catholic Church after an abortion and two subsequent  suicide attempts is Dorothy Day (1897 – 1980). Pope Francis cited her on his visit to the States as one of the great Americans. In his address to Congress he mentions four greats – Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

Dorothy Day following her conversion to the Catholic Faith, gave her life to running houses of hospitality for the poorest and most vulnerable, some houses still operate today. She was a campaigner for peace and the Catholic Worker news paper she started, championing Christian values is still published. For her there was no dissonance, no dichotomy. No distinction between her Catholic faith and her social awareness. Everything was of a piece. Her name has now been put forward for canonization as a recognized Saint of the Church.

Read about her in the recent biography,“Dorothy day, dissenting voice of the American century,” by John Loughery and Blythe Randolph.

So where to next in American politics?

Christians should be involved in political parties to bring about change so that unborn babies can be protected rather than denied the most basic of human rights – the right to life.

Anyone affected by the issue of abortion can seek help. www.lifecharity.org.uk