Last night's edition of Question Time revealed a rather sad fact about our cultural climate. Not a single politician could name and recite a poem that had inspired them. The most pathetic attempt came from a government minsister who single-handedly illustrated the intellectual vacuum at the heart of the current regime. Only Peter Hitchens rose to the challenge, by reciting a poem by AE Housman. He spoke eloquently of the delight and privilege of retaining beautiful things in the mind and of remaining in contact with the thoughts and ideas of our ancestors.
We seem to be entering a new sort of Dark Ages. In forgetting the rich treasures that have been handed on to us by generations of poets, writers and philosophers, we are turning our back on a vast source of received wisdom. It is being replaced by inanity and shallowness. Many people in public life - even those at the top of government - have no concept of the eternal truths which can be most effectively encountered in poetry. It is a dangerous situation to be in. If we abandon the tried and tested values of our culture we have to replace them with something else. History shows that attempts to do this have devastating consequences.
Friday 15 June 2012
Saturday 31 March 2012
Prayer Vigil in Bedford Square
On Friday evening I attended the prayer vigil outside the BPAS clinic in Bedford Square, organised by 40 Days for Life. It was a peaceful liturgy consisting mainly of the rosary and the stations of the cross. There were hundreds of Catholics present - many of them young and many of them women. The aim was to quietly and prayerfully witness to the sanctity of human life - the unborn who have no voice - and also to pray for the women who find themselves in difficult situations. Practical help is offered to those who decide to continue with their pregnancy. When such women become aware of the alternatives they often change their mind and babies are given the chance of a life.
I knew that a certain ammount of opposition to the vigils had been whipped up over the last few weeks. However gentle one is - and everyone I have met in the campaign has been utterly sensitive in their approach to this issue - simply voicing an opinion which goes against conventional thinking seems to stir up an enormous ammount of anger. As a result, the group who had gathered there to quietly pray, were subjected to the most appalling verbal abuse from an angry mob of pro-abortion activists. For most of the evening I couldn't hear a word that was being said, apart from being shouted at and told to keep my religion at home. Much of the chanting and shouting was deeply offensive and blasphemous. It got worse when anyone fell to their knees. Never in my life have I been screamed and yelled at for expressing my religious belief in public.
Interestingly enough, the crowd seemed to get exceptionally irate whenever the Passion of Our Lord was mentioned or Our Lady. The sight of Christians falling to their knees or crossing themeselves produced howls of ridicule.
Such behaviour seems completely irrational and for want of a better word rather un-British. We used to pride ourselves on being a tolerant nation, and yet certain views are now not just opposed but stiffled. Despite this I felt proud to be part of a group of people who quietly and faithfully got on with what they were there to do. The contrast between the silent Catholics and the jeering crowd was deeply poignant. It reminded me of what Jesus faced as he began that last journey through Holy Week. In a way it brought me closer to Him. It has certainly encouraged me to try and be more faithful as His follower.
Most of the people who attended the vigil felt genuinely sorry for the group on the opposite side. I'm sure many prayers have been offered for them. Friday evening was a vivid reminder of the spiritual battle we are now facing.
I knew that a certain ammount of opposition to the vigils had been whipped up over the last few weeks. However gentle one is - and everyone I have met in the campaign has been utterly sensitive in their approach to this issue - simply voicing an opinion which goes against conventional thinking seems to stir up an enormous ammount of anger. As a result, the group who had gathered there to quietly pray, were subjected to the most appalling verbal abuse from an angry mob of pro-abortion activists. For most of the evening I couldn't hear a word that was being said, apart from being shouted at and told to keep my religion at home. Much of the chanting and shouting was deeply offensive and blasphemous. It got worse when anyone fell to their knees. Never in my life have I been screamed and yelled at for expressing my religious belief in public.
Interestingly enough, the crowd seemed to get exceptionally irate whenever the Passion of Our Lord was mentioned or Our Lady. The sight of Christians falling to their knees or crossing themeselves produced howls of ridicule.
Such behaviour seems completely irrational and for want of a better word rather un-British. We used to pride ourselves on being a tolerant nation, and yet certain views are now not just opposed but stiffled. Despite this I felt proud to be part of a group of people who quietly and faithfully got on with what they were there to do. The contrast between the silent Catholics and the jeering crowd was deeply poignant. It reminded me of what Jesus faced as he began that last journey through Holy Week. In a way it brought me closer to Him. It has certainly encouraged me to try and be more faithful as His follower.
Most of the people who attended the vigil felt genuinely sorry for the group on the opposite side. I'm sure many prayers have been offered for them. Friday evening was a vivid reminder of the spiritual battle we are now facing.
Wednesday 14 March 2012
Apologies for absence
Apologies dear readers for a rather long absence. My last post was about the riots and much has happened since then. I seem to have acquired several new followers, despite not having written a word since the summer, so I feel inspired to continue blogging. My studies have rather taken over recently, with final exams rapidly approaching. I would be grateful for any prayers. Combining full time work with study is not an easy balance to get right.
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