Going to Communion at Mass: What Does It Mean?

Like many Catholics, I've received communion almost as a matter of routine, without thinking much about it. One day, while falling in line to receive communion at mass, a Eucharistic Minister asked me, "Do you believe this is Jesus, your God, that you're about to eat?" I was taken aback for a moment. I was expecting her to say the usual phrase "Body of Christ." I had to think for a moment what to say. Then I realized that this is precisely what we believe as Catholics, that the bread, after being consecrated by the priest, actually becomes Jesus. So it is God that we Catholics eat during communion. Since I do believe this, I said the usual response, "Amen", which means "truly" or "I agree." I'm not sure if what she said was proper, but it did bring to mind this important Catholic belief, which I and many other Catholics, had taken for granted. I guess it's a good thing to be reminded of this key doctrine of our Faith once in a while.

Why Talk About Political Issues?

Others have asked me why I include political issues in this blog. What's the connection between politics and living a meaningful life? In order to live a more meaningful life, one would need the freedom to pursue a meaningful life. So if this freedom is denied to a person, then an injustice is being committed against that person. Such a person would not be happy. For example, when African-Americans were sold as slaves, their freedom to live genuinely human lives were denied to them. When a child is aborted, the child's right & freedom to live a meaningful life is denied to that child. When a disabled person's life is terminated, such as Terri Schiavo's life, then her freedom to live a meaningful life is also being denied. There are several cases of people, in similar or worse condition than her, who were able to recover with rehabilitation. Terri was denied rehabilitation. In conclusion, freedom and justice are required in order for people to pursue a more meaningful life. These issues happen to be considered "political" issues also. Therefore, it becomes necessary to address these "political" issues if they interfere with a person's legitimate pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life.

Do Reasonable People Believe in God?

I read an email from someone who said only unintelligent people believe in God, & rational people don't. A critical thinker would ask, "Is this true, or is this merely an assumption?" The truth can always be proven. So let's look at the evidence. Two of the greatest scientists that the world has ever known are Newton & Einstein. Both believed in God. Some of the greatest composers in history are Mozart, Beethoven, & Vivaldi. They believed in God. Some of the great literary figures of England are G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, & J.R.R Tolkien. They believed in God. One of the most famous atheists of our time, Malcolm Muggeridge, ended up believing in God. Are these people irrational or unintelligent? So do you still think that people who believe in God are stupid or unreasonable? I think the facts speak for themselves. Don't you think so?

Will Islam Dominate?

I remember watching an internet news video of a rally held in New York by Muslim extremists. One person carried a sign stating "Islam Will Dominate." I thought at first that this was just an idle boast. But is it? If we look at the world birth rates, we see that the birth rate of Western nations, such as Germany, is much lower than those of Muslim countries, such as Niger. In fact, the death rate exceeds the birth rate. The people of the West cannot replenish themselves. What's the cause of this? What's the difference between Western nations and Muslim countries? It's simple. Western nations practice contraception and abortion while Muslim countries don't. Based on Darwin's view of "survival of the fittest", the people of the West will become extinct, while the people of Muslim nations will survive. Therefore, the notion that Islam will dominate is no idle boast. Extremists don't even need to wage Jihad against the West. All they have to do is sit back and wait for the West to drive itself to extinction. Maybe it's time for the countries of Europe and North America to wake up and realize that. And you thought that Global Warming was a threat to your survival? Guess again.