Zen and the Art of Societal Maintenance

I was heartened to hear from our new Archbishop Neinstedt that he opposed the Iraqi War of Agression from its inception, even when it was patently unpopular to do so. I wonder when our USCCB will do the same in a public and meaningful way.

Here is a piece from Zenit on Cardinal Zen and his relations with the hong Kong and mainland Chinese government. This Cardinal certainly tells it like it is. If Beijing is waiting for bCatholic ishops to quit "interfering" in society, then it'll be a long wait indeed.

Cardinal Zen Marches for DemocracyChinese Official Reproaches Prelate

HONG KONG, JULY 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).-

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, bishop of Hong Kong, took part in a July 1 pro-democracy demonstration marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to China.Cardinal Zen defended democracy at the event's prayer vigil, AsiaNews reported.The cardinal spoke of those who say that democracy provides for a less comfortable lifestyle: "That is absurd and goes against the experience of the whole world: Only democracy can guarantee better living conditions for the people."In Hong Kong, what is the result of the impasse in democracy? A worsening of the gap between the rich and the poor!"

According to organizers, the pro-democracy march drew more than 64,000 people demanding that Beijing respect Hong Kong's constitution and implement universal suffrage. ReproachCardinal Zen recalled that 10 years ago, during the Mass to mark the hand over, he said: "I hope the political return to the motherland may bring also a return to our traditional culture.""Looking back now what do we find?" the 75-year-old cardinal asked.

"The traditional values of decency, justice, honesty and self-respect have given way to a new culture of toadying the powerful and oppressing the weak." Cardinal Zen urged: "Let us put down our feeling of helplessness, take courage again and carry on the march for democracy. May the Lord show us a more just and peaceful society at the end of the journey."

Liu Bainian, vice chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Association, reproached Cardinal Zen for taking part in the pro-democracy protest. He said political activism is why Beijing is reluctant to let the Vatican appoint Chinese bishops, the Associated Press reported today. ''If all Catholics in Hong Kong followed suit by demonstrating, how can Hong Kong achieve stability?" Liu said. "If the Vatican supports someone like him [Cardinal Zen], how can it win China's trust?"

Without a Doubt II

from Benedict XVI's General Audience, 27 September 2006 -

"My Lord and my God!"

"Then, the proverbial scene of the doubting Thomas that occurred eight days after Easter is very well known. At first he did not believe that Jesus had appeared in his absence and said: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe".

Basically, from these words emerges the conviction that Jesus can now be recognized by his wounds rather than by his face. Thomas holds that the signs that confirm Jesus' identity are now above all his wounds, in which he reveals to us how much he loved us.

In this the Apostle is not mistaken. As we know, Jesus reappeared among his disciples eight days later and this time Thomas was present. Jesus summons him: "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing".

Thomas reacts with the most splendid profession of faith in the whole of the New Testament: "My Lord and my God!". St Augustine comments on this: Thomas "saw and touched the man, and acknowledged the God whom he neither saw nor touched; but by the means of what he saw and touched, he now put far away from him every doubt, and believed the other" (In ev. Jo. 121, 5).

The Evangelist continues with Jesus' last words to Thomas: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe". This sentence can also be put into the present: "Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe"…

The Apostle Thomas' case is important to us for at least three reasons: first, because it comforts us in our insecurity; second, because it shows us that every doubt can lead to an outcome brighter than any uncertainty; and, lastly, because the words that Jesus addressed to him remind us of the true meaning of mature faith and encourage us to persevere, despite the difficulty, along our journey of adhesion to him."

Without a Doubt

"In the consecrated Host we find . . .
that same Jesus
who rose again and appeared to the Apostles
and in whose wounds Thomas put his finger;
who ascended into heaven,
who now is seated in glory
at the right hand of His Father,
and who, in union with the Father,
sends us the Holy Spirit."

Divine Intimacy
Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.