"Global terrorism".

(C.I., Sept. 2006, p. 22)

Regarding Fr. Daniel Callam's closing remark, "Here we have no lasting city, but we seek a city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14), he asserts, "it puts a natural, a sensible limitation to any merely human allegiance, reminding us that the only valid patriotism, as kindly as it is profound, is for the City of God."

That is very well said! The City of God is our ultimate goal, where we will continue our relationship with God. While "The Kingdom of God is within you," we are momentarily on earth to predominantly see not just Christian individuals, but nations, shining forth to manifest, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." As divine diplomats, our valid patriotism for the City of God should have a real and contagious effect on the cities we live in.

Great Catholic saints and martyrs, who experienced persecution and prison, nevertheless treasured the Kingdom of God within themselves. In their souls, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom," served as a historically-recurring, shining witness to others. They retained and even strengthened their focus upon the only valid patriotism, the City of God. Sir Thomas More's star shines ever brighter, in our day of encroaching darkness.

The Scripture clearly shows that God judges individuals as well as nations. So is there a possibility that our only valid patriotism, for the City of God, can also be manifested for a culture of life on earth? Are we too unimaginative and spiritually lethargic to believe this? Is "With God, all things are possible," applicable? Culture is what man has done with the raw materials of his earthly setting. Sinful cultures are created by sinful man. Regenerated and intrinsically creative cultures are created by valid patriots of the City of God.

Is our final responsibility on earth to merely express ongoing disdain for the culture of death? Before we fatalistically fall into the perspective that a sane, Christian country on earth is an exercise in futility, let us reflect on the Dark Ages, before we fall into our own: the barbaric Goths were converted to Catholicism and built the Gothic cathedrals!

Clearly, prayer is not a last resort. It is the best resort! It wounds, even murders, our pride, as Our Lord shows: "With God, all things are possible!" This is why I propose a one-page prayer, at the end of every Catholic Insight issue, as a summary of issues to pray daily--in the family, in the office, from the altars, and in schools, convents and retirement homes--until the next issue of Catholic Insight arrives, when we start again. After all, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wasn't planning his next political manouverings, in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Edmonton, AB

Editor: I believe that the monthly pages of C.I. provide more than sufficient material for prayer for us to not add another special page at the end.