Points to Ponder:

Simple lives are hidden from the lives of the world and if they do come to some degree of notoriety, that is usually late in the day. But these are responsible, more than anyone else, for ensuring that our earth is not a hell on earth. Most of them never think to ask themselves whether their faith is effective, it is enough for them to live it as reality itself, and reality at its most actual. Even if such people themselves are themselves not engaged in external activity, they are the source of all initiative and action, all spade work which is not to be fruitless. It is these people who are our preservation and who give us hope and it would be a bold man who said that they are less numerous and less active today than in the past. We should not become blind to the real fruitfulness of our Mother the Church for the sake of a degree of efficiency which may be no more than a mirage". [Henri de Lubac SJ]

For those interested in the preservation of civilization, here is
the Vatican's response to same sex "marriage"

Points to Ponder:

I always found it desirable at any dinner party to find out where people stood on the [French] Revolution before getting into any other discussion. [George A. Lindbeck]

The Vatican will apparently be issuing a document from the CDF on Thursday in response to the recent movements to try and establish gay "marriages." Part of me wishes the pope would define the issue solemnly as the revealed truth that we know it is; however at the same time that the Vatican will once again be the lone voice of truth is adequate enough.

Marriage is between a man and a woman and it is part of the very foundation of civilization and of human existence. God-willing the pope taking a stand here will inspire others who share our view on the importance of marriage as a foundation for civilization's very existence. All religions have their own rites to recognize this very principle which is built into the natural law - one of the ways that all peoples show the work of the Law on the heart" (cf. Romans ii,15). I do not tend to buy into the "slippery slope" arguments commonly espoused but on this point, I feel the rationale is correct. I reiterate since some seem to not be getting it: the recognition of any form of marriage not between a man and a woman will be the death knell of civilization and the surest most incontrovertible proof that we have entered a Dark Ages of morality.