chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk           Previous articles by Chris

   August 8, 2012                              Chris McDonnell, UK       

Atomic bombs, no.  Curiosity, yes

This week is marked by two significant dates from 1945, the use of the atomic weapons first on the city of Hiroshima and three days later on Nagasaki. The loss of life and the dawn of the availability of weapons of mass destruction were marked by those August days. If you look back to the old Roman Missal and read the Introit for the Mass of the Transfiguration you will find these words:

“All the world shone with thy lightning and the troubled earth shook” taken from Psalm 76.

There is something uncomfortable and prophetic in those few words. The argument that this action ultimately saved lives and brought the war to a rapid conclusion is challenged more and more.  

And all these years later, the skill of mankind’s technology has placed a vehicle called Curiosity on the planet Mars. The images and data that we will hopefully receive in the coming months could be quite extraordinary. A pinpoint landing after a journey of many millions of miles, lasting some nine months is to be applauded.  

The rapidity of change that is now our experience raises so many questions for our Christian faith. How do you express an unchanging faith in a constantly changing world? How do you recognise the need for the Church to proclaim its message in such circumstances?  

It emphasises our need to live the message of the Vatican Council by looking forward, based on the strength of our historical roots, rather than retreating in to a past that is gone, however nostalgic some may feel for their childhood.  

We stand where we are and go on from here, however problematic that may be.

And the Games go on!                                Well done, the Brits!