Friday, December 25, 2009

The Word Became Flesh

The attack on our beloved Holy Father, (didn't a similar thing happen last year?) brings to mind one of the central mysteries of faith, the vulnerability of the Incarnate God, the Word who became Flesh.

As Word and Son He knew all things but experienced nothing. Through the womb of the virgin God experiences dependancy and vulnerability, and ultimately suffering and death. In His Body, the Church, in his priests and in His people, unfortunately sometimes through them, he continues to experience and to suffer.



Of course in the past flanked by the Swiss Guard and carried aloft the Pope was relatively free from mad women.

A HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

20 comments:

me said...

The irony being that we usually get about nineteen seconds or so reportage of the Vatican Midnight Mass, and last night sky news covered it almost constantly for nearly two hours, so the 'Word' was proclaimed mightily,therefore fulfilling scripture's "Where sin abounds,how much more does Grace abound"
I hope the Cardinal who broke his leg recovers quickly. Everyone say a prayer for his healing, he may have taken the injury for the Pope.

All the very best of intentions to you Father, have a blessed day, please God.

Jackie Parkes MJ said...

Mad men too I expect! Happy Christmas!

Michael Petek said...

The Pope looked fine this morning. I've just seen him giving the Urbi et Orbi on German TV.

Zephyrinus said...

I say bring back the Swiss Guard during processions and also His Holiness being aloft. If it's the same woman who attempted the same thing last year, what idiot gave her a Pass to attend the ceremony, this year ????!!! I wish you a Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas, Fr.

Volpius Leonius said...

He is also flanked by a inner line of the Noble Guard perhaps it is time to bring them back.

Anagnostis said...

Merry Christmas, dear Father - and very many of them.

shane said...

Father please also pray for Bishop Colm O'Reilly. The fine cathedral at Longford has today been destroyed by fire (one would assume from people angry at the sex abuse scandal)

http://www.longfordleader.ie/news/Devasting-fire-at-St-Mel39s.5938802.jp

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1225/longford.html

alban said...

Father, I noticed that she was dressed in an identical manner to the woman who tried to attack Benedict XVI last year. It will be interesting to discover whether or not she is the same person. Last year's attacker has a long history of mental illness, so we should pray for her.

Anonymous said...

A very happy and a holy Christmas.

Oremus pro pontifice nostro Benedicto.


Fr. A.

alban said...

Shane, You may well be right that this has been done by someone who is angry at the sexual scandals.

Although not involved in the cover up, Bishop O'Reilly of Ardagh + Clonmacnoise very insensitively stated that the the victims probably experienced greater trauma going through the trial than during the abuse itself; hardly well chosen words at this time.

Independent said...

Carry him aloft and he will be an easy target for snipers. He is too precious to be thus put at risk.

leoxoane@yahoo.co.uk said...

It appears that you and some of your readers subscribe this poor deranged young woman’s act was possible because of Vatican II. Do you endorses bring back the triregnum, umbraculum, sedia gestatoria, sediari, and Nobel Guards?

shane said...

Alban, it was incredibly ill-judged. With more abuse investigations in the pipeline, I hope this church burning is a once off - though I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't.

Fr Ray Blake said...

leoxoane@yahoo.co.uk,
Don't be daft, she did it, simply because she was ill.

SunnaB16 said...

The only way to get this humble Pope to agree to be carried in that chair would be over his dead body. The bit about snipers is chilling.

Happy, holy and fruitful Christmas,
Father and all. Don`t forget, it lasts for a whole week.

Jackie Parkes MJ said...

Just out of interest Fr Ray..thought you didn't post Anon?
Has that changed?

nickbris said...

There appears to be no defence against DETERMINED people whether they are ill or not.That could have been the same woman who attempted that approach last year yet she got through the security.

The one who tried to blow up an Airliner yesterday got through with his paraphernalia,there is no defence against them,we just have to show more kindness to each other and with a bit of Luck it may catch on.

Fr Ray Blake said...

"Fr A" is not anonymous, Mum of 10.

Paul, bedfordshire. said...

Amid all the options to beef up security, I suspect the Pope will carry on much as before, remember what happened to St Peter when he decided not to go to Rome for fear of his own safety?

What better security guards could the Pope have than St Michael and his fellow Angels?

The best thing we could do for Papa Benedicts security is by praying for his continued safety.

Jackie Parkes MJ said...

Oh Fr A! Silly me! Btw Fr Ray it's "mom" of 10...I'm a Brummie!

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