Thought Crime

..be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Nowadays I live in a country where abortion is still illegal but have been following the changes in the UK where attitudes have hardened even more than when I was there. 

I remember receiving a leaflet in the mid 1970’s as a schoolboy, given outside the school. It was graphic, the limbs and fingers and feet of an aborted baby were visible and never having heard of abortion, I was horrified that anyone could do such a thing. That was soon after it was legalised, there was no propaganda machine at work to fill the world with any false narrative then. 

I watched some videos of the discussions at March for Life (UK) and heard many encouraging stories about the work currently being undertaken and sadly the restrictions and added pressures they are under. In my day the worse that could happen would be to lose your job or livelihood over a pro-life stand; nowadays it seems you can be arrested for praying or even just standing near an abortion facility. The Orwellian era of “thought crime” has arrived. 

It seems likely then that the sacrifices required will increase if legalised child sacrifice is to be stopped. The rage of its proponents will continue to flare and those working at the coal face producing and delivering educational materials, crisis counselling or speaking up for the unborn and their mothers, will experience more abuse and intimidation as time goes on. It is arduous work but lives are being saved, more than are known I am sure. 

I heard a phrase recently that I have been mulling over, it was that “one day, our stories will all be told rightly, around the campfires of heaven” And when that day comes it will be those unseen and faithful pro-lifers who will be honoured for their devotion and sacrifices; for knowing where to stand and with whom. 

OUR LADY'S MESSAGE JUNE 25TH 2026 ON THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS

 OUR LADY'S MESSAGE JUNE 25TH 2026 ON THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS

“Dear children! 

Rejoice with me because the Most High permits me to be with you, to lead you to Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Rejoice, little children, and be joyful also in difficulties and you will have the strength, because you will be aware that you are transient and you will know to offer everything to God. That is why, do not forget: I am your Mother and I love you. 

Thank you for having responded to my call."

(With Ecclesiastical approval)

Present in the Silence

I am reading a book called Holy Silence about Quaker worship. They have no liturgy, or preaching, just communal silence where they listen for the voice of God and become aware of His presence amongst them.

The author brought a group of young Quakers to Mass once so they could see how other Christians worshiped. He was friendly with the local Priest who gave them a talk first and explained what would be happening so that it would not be a complete mystery. 

Afterwards they had a chat over dinner and the young Quakers were asked which part of the service most closely resembled their own Quaker worship.  They all agreed that it was in the Eucharist, the Consecration. One put it like this “that was when we really felt that Jesus was there” Another added “it got so quiet then” another indicator for them of the Lord’s presence.

Many in our church scarcely believe in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist sadly and this lack of belief has been repeated over the centuries countered just as frequently with Eucharistic miracles. The first being at Lanciano in Italy where a monk wrestled with his doubts about Transubstantiation and during Mass the host was visibly changed into flesh and blood.

More than a thousand years later it remains, not having undergone any decay. Tests done in the 1980’s showed that the host was heart tissue, and the blood was still fresh. What a gift we have been given.

The Call of Nature

 

Once my Dad was in his sixties, he had to get up in the night to answer the call of nature. This inconvenient awakening bore fruit though as he often entered into prayer before returning to sleep. 

He prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet for anyone who was dying at that hour or for the holy souls in purgatory. This nocturnal pilgrimage continued until it was his turn to pass from this life to the next. I wonder how many souls his prayers assisted on their journey to God and how much prayer there was for him at that moment as a consequence. 

It seems that the baton has now been passed to me. I am not normally a (3‘0 Clock in the) morning person and so am in a semi-coma as I stagger into the gloom, stubbing a toe on everything (mercifully there are no lego land mines along the route). Lately though I have paused to pray and accompany my fellow travellers, those dying or suffering the fires of purgatory. It is a noble undertaking and at a time when the heart and house are quiet.

Behind the veil, it will be well received as these words given to St Gertrude from Jesus illustrate "… If a beneficent king leaves his guilty friend in prison for justice's sake, he awaits with longing for one of his nobles to plead for the prisoner and to offer something for his release. Then the king joyfully sets him free. By the prayers of thy loving soul, I am induced to free a prisoner from purgatory as often as thou dost move thy tongue to utter a word of prayer."

Who would think that a full bladder can be a means of such grace; but it can.