How to spot a terrorist

A badge of courage.......or of extremism?

It is reassuring, in one sense, to find that the British Government, for all its faults, has set in place a programme of training for public sector workers, to enable them to be aware of the terrorism threat and, more importantly, identify potential terrorists.

It has been in place since 2011 and it is called PREVENT.

PREVENT is a nice, non alarmist sort of a word that one might use to describe a deterrent to stop cats or dogs from entering the garden.

If I was in charge of such initiatives I might have called it 'SPOTAKILLER' or, 'ISLAMOWATCH' and that brings me to the point.

The official blurb covering PREVENT (you may read it HERE) mentions Northern Ireland Terrorism, International Terrorism, Extreme Right Wing Terrorism and so on but, coyly, fails to make any mention of the main threat, that of Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorism.

But, according to my source, those who are on the receiving end of such courses, namely, doctors, nurses, teachers, immigration officers and so on, are being given very specific directions with regard to identifying Muslim extremists.

Quite how that works I don't know but I am assured that it's a bit more sophisticated than looking out for anybody with a spade beard and a crochet cap.

But how long will it be before we see a target group listed as 'Christian right wing' or 'Christian anti gay 'marriage/abortion?'

Not too long, I suspect.

And how will they spot us?

Well......they might make a start by arresting those found wearing symbols of extremism....like a crucifix or a scapular.

A prayer for America

For West and for Boston; for those who died or were injured, for their relatives and friends, for the communities where they lived and worked.

                                                                     Viva Cristo Rey!

Father, once again we are reminded

that any security we have as individuals

and as a nation, comes only from the

abiding hope and trust we have in you

Once again, we are cut to the heart 

at the loss of life and damage to peace 

that we have suffered as a nation. 

So, Father, today we come to You 

and we seek Your peace for the families and victims of the 

horrible tragedy. 

For those still lost in the rubble of destruction, 

we ask for the safety of Your hand. 

For those consumed by worry and fear 

as they try to locate missing loved ones, 

we ask for the comforting presence of Your Spirit. 

We seek Your peace for the emergency workers,

that You would guard their lives 

as they seek to guard the lives of others. 

Give them the wisdom they need to perform their duties 

above and beyond the levels of their training. 

And Father, we seek Your peace for our nation and our 

world. 

In the midst of our questions and uncertainty, 

we recognize that the unknown details of this day 

are already in Your grasp. 

We know You sent Your Son as the Prince of Peace 

and even this day falls under His command. 

Help us to find the strength and comfort we need as a 

nation 

to continue to humble ourselves, 

pray and seek Your face for a new day in America 

and a new hope for our world.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you

 peace at all times and in every way. 

The Lord be with all of you." [2 Thess. 3:16]

At the request of Mack Hall - and gladly responded to

"O come and mourn with me awhile..."

9/11 - The anniversary of the destruction of the Twin Towers and loss of life in and around the towers and in the hijacked planes.
 
                                            The Cross of victory!

"If my requests are not answered there will be wars and rumours of wars,
entire nations will be destroyed, Russia will scatter her errors throughout
the world, thousands of the good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have
much to suffer.......but, in the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph"

 
"O crucified heavenly King, may the mystery of your glorious death triumph in the world.
Grant that we never lose the courage and boldness of hope in the face of the tragedies afflicting humanity and in the face of every situation of injustice that humiliates the human being, the creature redeemed by your precious blood.
Grant indeed that we may proclaim this day with even greater force:  Your Cross is victory and salvation,
"quia per sanctum crucem tuam redemisti mundum",
because by your blood and your Passion you have redeemed the world!"

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

O come and mourn with me awhile;
See Mary calls us to her side;
O come and let us mourn with her.
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and Jews deride?
Ah, look how patiently He hangs.
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

   How fast His feet and hands are nailed;
His blessed tongue with thirst is tied;
His failing eyes are blind with blood.
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

  O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act your strength is tried;
And victory remains with love,
For He, our Love, is crucified.

There are many versions of this hymn but this is the authentic one.

 I could not find a clip of the original (plenty of the US version but it is not, I believe as poignant and beautiful as the Westminster Hymnal one).