Search Page

The angels surround the sanctuary at Mass.

It can happen that innocent people suffer from unexpected abuse by someone whom they have never harmed; indeed, they are trying to help. But a person in a panic, who faces calamity, might unfortunately speak harshly even to those closest to him, whom he ordinarily respects.

It is sometimes right, the Lord said, to give a brief, quiet reminder to noisy people, that the church is a place for prayer, and not for chatter about everyday matters.

We who are members of the Church are on a 'journey' of pilgrimage together, from earth to Heaven. It is sometimes necessary to make comments or suggestions on the state of the vehicles used, or the management and care of the needy, but not to berate individual clergymen.

Christ sees it as tragic that the loudest voices in the Church today are often those of dissenters, who sometimes mock Christ's 'little ones' as 'fundamentalist' or old-fashioned, and are shameless about disturbing their prayers.

When a family member is in very poor health, it is important that people in a Christian family actively prepare for death, turn to the Lord in trust, speak truthfully to one another, and act with sensitivity and the gentleness.

Christ wants us to respect priests who are 'other Christs' amongst us. But when a priest publicly speaks against the teaching of the Church on faith or morals we are not wrong to warn others about the danger of listening to his advice - though we must not speak with scorn or malice. And we should pray for him.

Christ showed me a stretch of land before me, like a forest-floor covered in snow. This represented, He explained, the new day which stretched ahead. I can make careful footprints on it, by what I choose to do. I should use my time well, and 'walk' carefully.

When a 'child of God' offers in conversation not words of charity or compassion, but malicious gossip or salacious comments, that soul is like a holy shrine from which now emerges no spring, no living water of grace, but from which oozes drops of evil-smelling puss. Such a serious infection needs powerful help.

People who like to engage in malicious gossip, or scandalous or salacious conversations, are like people choosing to stand in a filthy alley which is befouled underfoot, instead of in a beautiful meeting place in fresh air and sunlight.

Some people chat loudly in church about worldly matters, as other people try to pray. It is necessary to speak gently about this. If priests will not ask for reverent behaviour in church, then brave members of the laity must speak about it - all for the honour of Christ, Who is Really Present.

Just as a child needs to know about dangerous traffic, though not the details of possible injuries, so all Catholics need to know about the danger of turning away from God - though not read lists about the agonies of Hell. Hell awaits the damned, however: it awaits those who have refused to take notice of gentle warnings and vigorous reminders.

No mother tells a toddler all the details about car-accidents; but she warns him to take care. But when teenage boys and other people become preoccupied with pornography, lustful conversations and immoral activities, it is time to warn them quite frankly about the danger of falling into Hell.

It is important not to 'cast pearls before swine': not to offer spiritual advice, too early, to those who despise spiritual things, nor to press information about the Church upon people who hate the mention of her name. This causes such people to be even more exasperated and confrontational. Our prayer for them is more important, for the moment.

It is important that we give gentle answers to people who try to defend the practice of abortion. But we should point out the truth: that there is a remedy for mothers who have had abortions, if they are willing to repent and be forgiven. But there is no remedy for the dead babies, torn from the womb, to be thrown away.

It is important that we give gentle answers to people who try to defend the practice of abortion. But we should point out the truth: that there is a remedy for mothers who have had abortions, if they are willing to repent and be forgiven. But there is no remedy for the dead babies, torn from the womb, to be thrown away.

We cannot avoid difficult topics in discussing the faith; yet it is important to be aware, when speaking of subjects such as death, that we do not know the dreams, fears and past experiences of each listener. Some might have had dreadful experiences of the illnesses and deaths of friends or relations; and this colours their attitudes and even alters their belief. Sensitivity is essential.

We must be sensitive in speaking to individuals. If we want to share the truth with Anglicans about their separation from the Catholic Church, in another Century, and the loss of valid Orders, it is not right to thrust unwelcome truths at people we do not know. These things can be discussed when we have greeted them and learned about them, and are invited to speak freely.

In wanting to share the good news about Christ, and the Catholic Faith, we do not begin by accosting people we do not know, to accuse them of sin. We imitate Christ, Who first got to know a person - as in Simon's house - and only when a bond was established gently mentioned things which Simon needed to know, above love for a neighbour.

We must watch our words, carefully. Where two people speak fervently about something of great importance to them, it is only too easy to slide into uncharity, in mentioning other people, just as when people on a riverbank speak with vehement concern but with violent movements, it is very likely that the one nearest the river will slide away and fall in.