The Lord's descent into the underworld

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

The Crucifixion

US Company Uses Aborted Fetal Cells to Test Food Flavour Enhancers

I'm still shocked after reading a story that suggests a US Biotech company is testing food flavour enhancers on aborted fetal cells, the results of which are then used in food products from companies such as Kraft, PepsiCo and Nestle.

Being ignorant of such matters I had no idea this type of research even happened, and to be honest it makes me fell sick, truly sick.

The report I saw initially came via the Catholic Culture website, which was stating how following the news report, one of the companies using the product from Senomyx, Campbell Soups, will no longer continue to do so.

The report can be read on the Cogforlife site. Apparently they have been banging this issue for a while now, contacting the various food companies for a response to this matter. You can read the report here.

Whilst it is commendable that Campbell Soups have stopped using the Senomyx product, the response from PepsiCo demonstrates the level of ignorance and complete lack of respect towards the issue. They said:

“We hope you are reassured to learn that our collaboration with Senomyx is strictly limited to creating lower-calorie, great-tasting beverages for consumers. This will help us achieve our commitment to reduce added sugar per serving by 25% in key brands in key markets over the next decade and ultimately help people live healthier lives.”

I just hope that more and more people will get to hear about this, and take due consideration before buying products from these companies.

What is The Purpose of Your Life?

This video has been around for a few months now, but I only came across it earlier today. Take a few minutes, and prepare to have your conscience pricked. Then ask yourself, what is the purpose of your life.

Mary Mother of God

Happy New Year

Nativity

A Digital Nativity

The Nativity Story, as told using modern social media. Pretty cool:

St Francis of Assisi

The prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Our Lady of Sorrows

At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to her son to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.

O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest, of the sole-begotten One.
Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold?

For the sins of His own nation, She saw Jesus wracked with torment, All with scourges rent:
She beheld her tender Child, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified:
Let me share with thee His pain, who for all my sins was slain, who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live:
By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!, Listen to my fond request: let me share thy grief divine;
Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, by Thy Mother my defense, by Thy Cross my victory;
When my body dies, let my soul be granted the glory of Paradise. Amen.

Exultation of the Holy Cross

"God so loved the world"

The cross reconciled us with God, made earth, heaven, caused human beings
to mingle with angels, destroyed the citadel of death, broke the strength
of the devil, freed the world from error, and founded churches. The cross
was the will of the Father, the glory of the Son, the joy of the Holy
Spirit...

The cross is brighter than the sun, its rays are more brilliant. When the
sun is darkened the cross shines forth, for the darkening of the sun does
not mean it no longer exists, but that it is outshone by the splendor of
the cross. The cross destroyed the bond that was against us and opened the
prison-house of death. The cross is the proof of God's love, for: "God
loved the world so much that he gave his only Son to save those who believe
from perishing."

The cross unlocked the gates of paradise, admitted the thief, and led to
the kingdom of heaven the human race which, unworthy even of the earth, was
on the point of being destroyed.

St John Chrysostom

The Pope is Coming!

The Pope is coming! It's just a few days now, and the Pope will be here, in the UK. There are various events happening, and I will be going to the Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park along with a few members of our Parish. Having seen a preview of the 'entertainment', that is going to happen before the Holy Father arrives, I can see I'm not going to enjoy it much, but I need to keep in mind this event isn't being set up for my benefit, but for all Catholics to participate in. And I'm sure there will be a number in the crowd who will appreciate the ethnic dancing stuff. But, for me, the chance to be part of the experience is something that it is all worth suffering for. I can go to Rome quite easily, anytime, with a cheap low cost flight, and participate in an event in St Peter's Square and have done on quite a few occasions. But this is different, the Holy Father is coming to the UK, and I'm glad to be able to go to one of the official events.

Despite all the negativity coming from certain sections regarding the Papal Visit, people who I know who love the Church are getting very excited at the Pope's visit, and regardless of the nonsense people are coming up with, and regardless of the insults being thrown the way of the Holy Father, this is going to be a great few days.

Long live the Pope! Viva il Papa!

The Truth

There is One True Religion

And unless you are Catholic, it's not yours.

Papal Smackdown!

This is another video from the excellent RealCatholicTV, and the Vortex program hosted by Michael Voris. I've long listened to Michael Voris, through the stuff he did with St Michaels Media, and the TV show The One True Faith, and again here he delivers a punchy episode of the Vortex. I love the title of the episode too, the idea of the Pope laying the Smackdown on all Heretics and liberals within the Church is an excellent image!

Magistrate in Trouble for Calling Scum, Scum

A magistrate has got himself into a bit of bother after branding a couple of hooligans as 'absolute scum' after they tore pages out of prayer books and wrote offensive messages about Jews and sexual comments about the Vicar in Blackburn Cathedral.

Sentencing the pair, the Magistrate labelled them "Absolute scum". The Clerk of the court stood up and said that such language was unacceptable in the Youth Court (Note, she didn't say that the words were inaccurate, just inappropriate).

The Mother of one of the youths said she "would be making an official complaint". Perhaps she should worry more about the loutish behaviour of her son, rather than the Magistrate calling a spade a spade.

The two hooligans were caught after signing the visitors book. Which sounds about the intelligence level I'd expect from such yobs who would commit acts like these.

Sin Within

I've always enjoyed listening to Michael Voris, he has a simple knack of getting the message across in language that means something to an ordinary guy like me. He delivers some fine points which you can follow through a website, realcatholictv, and he also does the TV program the One True Faith, which you can find information about at the St Michael's Media website. One of the latest editions of a short program he fronts on realcatholictv, called the Vortex, has a powerful message that all Catholics should pay attention to. It's only a few minutes long, take the time to watch:

Text the Pope

It's now possible to send the Pope a text message, thanks to Italian TV programme "A Sua Immagine", who are running this initiative linked in with a demonstration of support for the Pope which is happening in St Peter's Square this coming Sunday, May 16th.

The service offers a unique opportunity for Catholics to show their support for the Pope; all messages will be collated together and presented to the Holy Father before the end of May.

If you want to send the Pope a message of support, the number to text is (00) +39 335 1863091.

Days of Prayer in Reparation and Atonement for Sex Abuse in the Church

The Bishops of England and Wales have urged Catholics to keep the Fridays of May as times for Special Prayer in reparation and atonement for the crimes of sex abuse in the Catholic Church.

“We invite Catholics in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in May 2010 special days of prayer. Even when we are lost for words, we can place ourselves in silent prayer. We invite Catholics on these days to come before the Blessed Sacrament in our parishes to pray to God for healing, forgiveness and a renewed dedication. We pray for all who have suffered abuse; for those who mishandled these matters and added to the suffering of those affected. From this prayer we do not exclude those who have committed these sins of abuse. They have a journey of repentance and atonement to make.

We pray also for Pope Benedict, whose wise and courageous leadership is so important for the Church at this time.”

Resources for these times of prayer have been prepared by the National Liturgy Office and can be downloaded from their website.

Voting Life

I saw this post on the Mulier Fortis blog a few days ago, and I pretty much agree with what she says, the position of a candidate on Pro Life issues is the most important issue. For me, it defines the person, how they view those most defenceless in our society, the unborn, the handicapped, elderly, etc. If a person has little regard for the most vulnerable, then I don't really see myself voting for them. As it goes, the sitting MP in my area has good pro life views, which I admit is a rarity amongst MP's of all parties.

Then I saw this post over at the Saint Mary Magdalen blog recently, pointing out that a vote for Lib Dems could bring a party into power that accommodates people like Dr Evan Harris.

As it goes, Dr Harris uses Twitter, which I use on occasion too. Someone posted there that the media were stitching up Nick Clegg, and that out of spite they would vote Lib Dem. I replied that I could never vote for a party that houses people with views like Dr Harris. Well, if you are going to take a pro life stance in a public forum, you should expect a bit of flak, but really some comments have just been outrageous. For example, on my Twitter profile it says:

"Being Catholic defines who I am. My Faith is my life"!

Because of that it led someone to say: "A total lack of critical thinking there. Don't sweat it" Just because I'm Catholic??

Some other comments:

I'd rather have @DrEvanHarris by my bed pushing the syringe *at my request* than some ninny praying over my forced painful death.

If you're just going by that insipid "Dr. Death" article then I would implore you to think for yourself. However, looking at your profile I see thinking for yourself is largely out of the question. You may not impose your values on me. (Apparently being a Catholic means I am incapable of thinking for myself!!)

It's pointless trying to talk to someone as dumb as you, isn't it? (Which makes me wonder why this person bothered trying to talk to me?)

@DrEvanHarris why bother arguing with such a reactionary idiot as @Jay3GSM if your after his votes, your not worth voting for. (Even though I'd already stated I wouldn't vote Lib Dem...)

@DrEvanHarris are you expecting a rational reply from @Jay3GSM ? that might be a bit optimistic of you. (From someone who doesn't even know me, just based on knowing my Faith from my profile)

Quite incredible really. To be fair to Dr Harris, he has made a few replies, defending his stance (as I would expect him to) based on the fact that "Yes but those views shared by 350 MPs of all parties so why pick on the LDs?!? Is it esp wrong to be reported (ie "vocal")?" The fact that 350 MP's 'share his views' makes it ok, it seems. But as seen a few comments above, the fact he was at least polite enough to reply to my comment bothers some.

Now I'm getting comments re euthanasia, and abortion, asking why I'm against them?!? I mean, seriously? At least they are polite, in the main:

@Jay3GSM May I politely ask why? As I see it, Euthanisia provides a dignified exit to someone who is dying. The alternative is to use medicine to extend life beyond which it should not have lived. Thus increasing suffering.

@Jay3GSM To those directly involved Euthanasia is quite a comfort though, should we allow people to suffer. Is that not also a sin?

@Jay3GSM If someone is dying, and they choose to ask for help to die before life gets ugly, what is the problem with that?

Someone also said:

@Jay3GSM @DrEvanHarris Abortion *is* a horrible, but understandable thing. But Euthanasia is in no way bad. EVER!!! It's a choice.

It's been an interesting day, really, reading the views of these people, interacting with them online. What saddens me is none of the people who've commented have supported a pro life stance. Is it *really* that rare?