Moments of Despair

It is easy for Catholics to despair for our beloved country. We have abortion on demand, no one questions it now although many of us did for years and years but were ignored. Last week our Prime Minister (who I voted for alas) said casually that he supported gay marriage and all three main political parties are vying for the honour of bringing the issue to parliament. This week the PM said he couldn't see any reasons against gay adoption although very few babies are offered for adoption in NZ (they're mostly aborted)and heterosexual couples who hope to adopt have to pass stringent suitability tests and even after they have passed those, may have to wait for years or even forever. There is no uproar, no fight back. the bills will be passed without any doubt. All of us who have fought in the past are tired and exhausted at getting nowhere for years and sadly the Church here seems more outspoken about "social justice" issues than moral ones.It's easy to despair and sometimes I have low moments when I do. But God only asks us to do what we can, so I pray and speak out when I can but mostly I just trust Him who is Lord of all - even New Zealand.

Getting Old

Most of us dread getting old, I know I did. On my 50th birthday I cried all day. My workmates had planned a wonderful celebration for me, I received flowers, gifts and a huge party from my wonderful children...but I just cried and cried because I thought I getting old. But now I am old and I wonder with amusement and a little shame, why I cried. OK there are lots of irritating health issues. I told my doctor recently that I felt like an old car that keeps having to be patched up when really what the owner needs is a NEW car. He laughed at me. But old age brings lots of blessings: maturity, peace, the appreciation of the beauty in our lives, the love of grandchildren, tolerance and ...perhaps most of all, time. And one day, fairly soon, this old body WILL be replaced with a glorious new one(I hope and pray)! Won't it be wonderful to see Him "Face to face"? Yes, getting old is pretty cool.

Mother's Day

Many years ago I read in C.S.Lewis's "That Hideous Strength" of a woman who, although actually barren, was described as looking like "a matriarch, mother of mothers, grave, formidable and august." I have always loved that expression and when my daughter put HER first daughter in my arms I thought with tears "I am the mother of a mother." That is why I love Mother's Day. To be a mother of mothers, and a mother of a father is beyond description. Many other thoughts fill my mind; my own Mother, long since passed away, and our Blessed Mother truly a Mother of us all. That's why I love Mother's day.

RememberingJesus

I often have to remind myself that being a Catholic is about having a relationship with Jesus. I find it so easy to slide into thinking it's about the liturgy (good or bad) or the priests (good or not-so-good) or fellow parishioners (good or bad) or any other burning topic, but it's not, it's about Jesus. The Church gives us many, many occasions to focus on Him; we have the Mass, Holy Hours, the rosary and other prayers, and we have our fellow Catholics who are Christs to us. But my mind slips and slithers and and I grasp onto the shell of the devotion and disregard the kernel. Praise God for Confession where we are pulled back into that wonderful, loving relationship.