This quote from the prophet Hosea chapter 8; 7 which was the first reading in Catholic churches today, refers to the Godless actions of the people of Israel. God is a God of mercy, but, mercy can only be received by repentant hearts. God is not a permissive God. Those who transgress the immutable laws of nature – the way we are made and God’s plan for our happiness, will face consequences for their sins.

This applies to those responsible for the carnage and killing of the innocent by those engaged in unlawful immoral and unjust warfare; those who campaign for the right to kill the weakest and most vulnerable – the unborn and those who allow their immoral predilections to split their families leaving their children in a void of lovelessness.

‘So by the help of your God, return, – come back to me. Hosea 12.6

On Tuesday 28 November 2023, Labour MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Stella Creasy tabled amendments NC1 and NC2 respectively to the Government’s Criminal Justice Bill. Both amendments would decriminalise abortion.

On 25 January 2024, these amendments were debated at Committee stage and withdrawn. Now, Diana Johnson has tabled a very similar amendment, in the hope that it will be debated by MPs at Report stage. The earliest this can happen is 4th March.

What does the amendment do?

The text of Diana Johnson’s amendment, New Clause 1, is:

To move the following Clause—

“Removal of women from the criminal law related to abortion.

For the purposes of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929, no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy.”

This would mean a woman could carry out her own abortion at any time, for any reason. While the explanatory note claims that the amendment “would not change any law regarding the provision of abortion services within a healthcare setting, including but not limited to the time limit”, more than half of abortions are now carried out by a woman in her own home, under the pills by post policy. A woman who took abortion pills at home at any stage of pregnancy, even just before natural birth, and so ended the life of a full term baby, would not commit any offence.

From the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child SPUC

If this amendment is accepted a baby in the womb is not protected by law in the UK if the Criminal Justice Bill is passed at any stage. So a women can end the life her child immediately before birth but a few days later when the child is born if she takes the life of her child it would be infanticide, she would have killed her child unlawfully. Surely this is nonsense by any reckoning. Pro-abortionists are bent on hi jacking legislation to push forward their ideology that the woman has the right to do as she wishes with her own body. But common sense and medicine cannot reconcile this. The baby has only half the mother’s genes. Twenty three chromosomes from the father and 23 from the mother make up the embryo. The father gets no say and genes are passed down through the generations. The baby is a separate human being albeit nourished in the womb by the mother.

Moreover, the proabortion ideology speaks of the mother’s right to choose and ignores the most basic human right which is the right to life. The baby is human from conception and has this right. Medical science tells us this. Yet the facts are ignored in the face of ideology. This is another reminder of how ideology distorts reality and is de humanising.

I pray that this amendment is rejected. Many lives of innocent human beings could be saved and many mothers saved from years of regret.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the third Sunday of Lent, we hear about how Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple with the words, “Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” When challenged by the Jews and asked for a sign to justify this, Jesus says “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.” “But Jesus was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this…”

(John 2: 13 – 25)

Pause for thought

“I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 40

Today Lent begins where there is special emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

For those with no relationship with our loving heavenly Father and Jesus, the only begotten Son sent into the world to save us, prayer is not possible – for those desiring such a relationship, our first prayer might be “speak Lord your servant is listening” or “Jesus I need you.”

Going without food, luxuries, or enjoyment for the sake of others and to discipline ourselves and focus on what really matters in life- loving God and our neighbour above ourselves.

Almsgiving to those in need building fraternity, mutuality, especially when it hurts us.

The opposite of the true spirit of Lent is what is happening in areas of conflict taking place today shown regularly in the news; killing and carnage and depriving others including non combatants- men women and children, of the basic necessities of life.

This can never be in God’s name.

So in Lent we are reminded to be who we truly are as daughters and sons of God made in His image, each of us with an eternal destiny which begins right here and right now.   

When our life in this world is over, what will be our thoughts?

I wish I had done this or that better?

Why did I do so and so?

For those with children. ” I could have loved them more… lived the moment better…”

OR

“so glad I did that?”

“I made a difference to this or that..”

But could it be its who we are that counts. To grow.. to be the best we can be.

The old Catholic catechism says the purpose of our life is to know love and serve God in this world and to be happy with him in the next. That’s why we are here?

So as we lay on our death bed rejoice that we know God and will soon be with him – for ever.

The poof of the Resurrection is inescapable. The gospels encapsulate and proclaim this reality.

When all other explanations for the empty tomb run aground, all that is left is the truth of what happened. Jesus really did rise from the dead after three days. The seminal book “Who move the stone,” by Frank Morison explains all – see it on Amazon.

The Christian faith is based upon this reality. “If our hope for Christ is for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people,” says St Paul. I Cor.15.14

So why does the secular world not accept this reality?

“And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.” John 3. 20 – 21

And in Matthew 4. 15 – 16 where Isaiah is quoted in relation to Christ, “The people who lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Again in the words of St. Paul – at the sound of the last trumpet, “the dead will be raised, imperishable.”

I Cor. 15.52

Our heavenly Father longs to share this new life with all, “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” John 3. 16

Christians live this new life in the here and now and are resident aliens in the world. Christians celebrate this new life each Sunday and especially this Sunday, Easter Sunday, the day when Jesus really did rise from then dead.

The trumpet shall sound

Jesus is Lord – now and forever!

Today is Palm Sunday. The account of the last hours of Jesus are read in churches the world over. The significance of the death of Jesus by crucifixion was not understood by anyone at the time, even the apostles did not fully understand. But Jesus’ sacrifice of his life changed everything for humanity forever and the crucifix became the most recognised and revered symbol of any since the dawn of time. The greatest sign of love the world would ever know.

By Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross the way was opened for all to be reconciled with our loving Father God and to come into his kingdom in the here and now and forever. We hear that the veil of the Temple in Jerusalem which only the high priest could enter to make sacrifice for sin on behalf of the people was torn in two as Jesus died. From now on everyone could come into the presence of God, for the sacrifice has been made by Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son the Lamb of God.

The Easter eggs custom fuelled by chocolate manufacturers and super markets is a reminder of the new life which is celebrated by Christians the world over But at the start of Holy week we recognise the suffering and agony of Jesus Son of God who made this new life possible.

Think of someone who gave their life for another. Pause and take stock. Such a sacrifice is the height of goodness latent in every human being.

As Martin Luther King said “Love is creative, understanding goodwill for all men. It is the refusal to defeat any individual. When you rise to the level of love, of its great beauty and power, you seek only to defeat evil systems. Individuals who happen to be caught up in that system, you love, but you seek to defeat the system.”

“As we welcome Jesus on Palm Sunday may we have hope, strength and courage to face life’s challenges.”  

In this week’s gospel for the 5^th Sunday of Lent Jesus makes the promise that eternal life will be given to anyone who believes in him. But what does this mean? We hear the account of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days. The body of Lazarus would have begun to decompose. If that were not enough Jesus then speaks of his own impending resurrection and what this means for all believers. “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,” John 11: 26.

Believers? Those who recognise Jesus as the Son of God.

The love which shines through Jesus in everything he says and does is a reflection of the Father who destines, invites and wants us to be with Him in eternal life. Those who know Jesus personally have a foretaste of eternity.

In this world love is like a lighthouse showing up choppy waters and dangerous rocks and just as a lighthouse guides sea craft safely through turbulent waters, love can help us navigate through the turbulence of evil which creates havoc all around.

Lent invites us to follow that beacon of light which leads us forward to Easter, the Resurrection and new life in the here and now with the promise of an eternity of light and love.

An unexpected smile can bring light into someone’s eyes and heart try it.

For those doubtful of an afterlife, read the true story  in the book, “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent – New York Times best seller, 10 million copies sold, available on Amazon) about a little boy who died went to heaven and came back to tell the tale in a way which could not be denied.   

The Annunciation a Message  for Today

Saturday (26^th March) was the feast day of the Annunciation when God’s messenger, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the mother of God. Mary’s YES changed everything forever. This was in God’s plan since the beginning even down to the angel naming the baby “Jesus.” (Saviour)

God has a plan for each one of us. Each pre born baby is a human being and the first human right is the right to live therefore no one has the right to end the life of a baby in the womb.

In my story, “The Secret Plague” (Available on Amazon or “Good News Books” ISBN 978 1 912237 40 1) the fallacy of pro abortion ‘human rights’ is exposed and the dignity and inviolability of each human being from conception celebrated.

Maybe there’s someone you know who should hear this?  

Truth of Faith

In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus heals a man born blind. This does not persuade the Pharisees- the Jewish leaders, that Jesus should be listened to. They have their own agenda. They can’t see the reality in front of them especially given that that Jesus in their view broke the law by healing on the Sabbath day which they regarded as work and against the Commandments.

The beauty of nature, the wonder of human beings – even divine miracles are not enough to bring about an acknowledgement for many that there must be a God.

Jesus came to bring light but many prefer darkness. How appallingly sad. This Sunday is Rejoicing Sunday in Lent and lights up our way to Easter when all darkness and negativity are shattered forever.

Looking for the good in others and rejoicing in good deeds is something the Pharisees in Jesus day were unable to do. Religious man made rules got in the way.

The way things are;

Self interest, ideology, ignorance and just plain evil desires threaten life in so many ways

As with the man born blind, life is precious and preconceived notions must be ignored by those who can see and who desire to stretch out a healing hand. This takes courage and the kind of faith that makes the impossible possible.

Truth of Faith

Living Water

Knowing Jesus as Son of God changes everything and opens us to the living water and eternal life. This is for here and now and is a foretaste of our heavenly destiny.

An unsuspecting woman encounters Jesus at the village well. She is shocked that Jesus should ask her for a drink. The apostles had gone into the village to buy food.

John 4:5-42

“You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan for a drink?” What is more it was unheard of for a man to speak to a woman in public. Jesus breaks all conventions to reach this woman. She is riveted to the spot when Jesus reveals the knowledge he has been given about the past men in her life. How could he know this about her? She sees Jesus as a prophet and is in rapt attention as Jesus speaks to her of living water, welling up to eternal life. She immediately rushes of to the village to tell everyone.

What does this encounter from this week’s gospel say to us? Jesus is saying he is the Messiah. Do we truly believe this? Perhaps Lent is a space to think about this more. For those who recognise who Jesus is everything changes. Should we be rushing off to tell all those we know?

BUT such recognition MUST involve listening to and abiding by Jesus’ message which has the power to transform individually and transform the world; the Kingdom in the here and now leading to the eternal life.

Words of Life;

Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be children of God. Matthew 5.9

 You cannot be the slave both of God and money. Matthew 6.24

 A man will be joined to his wife and the two become one body. Matthew 19. 5-6

 The leader is the one who serves. Luke 22.27

Who can live like this? Only those who know Jesus.  

What was Jesus’ dream for the woman at the well? What is God’s dream for us; for today and for our life?

Prayer

Dear Lord may your living water flow in me. May I walk each day in the Holy Spirit with my feet set firmly on the ground and my eyes to heaven.