random thoughts on a Saturday afternoon

• There is an organization called the Bail Project that pays bond for people who can't come up with the money on their own. On their website they say that they "... pay bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence." Well, Marcia Johnson didn't want to be reunited with her husband after he struck her back in April. The police were called and he was arrested. His bond was $5000. Marcia certainly had no intention of paying it and apparently nobody who knew her husband wanted to pay it either. The well meaning do-gooders at the Bail Project decided to meddle and as soon as Scott Johnson was released he went home and killed his wife. What do you think went through that poor woman's head when she saw him come through the door? Marcia Johnson was in need and the Bail Project certainly made everything worse for her and her children.The road to Hell is paved with good intentions and I hope that Mrs. Johnson's family sue the Bail Project and the employee/volunteer who thought that bailing out a wife beater was a good idea.  

• Today is the feast of St. Pere de Roquart, who served Our Lord by rescuing slaves from the Muslims. 

• Back in the 70s a young husband and father was taking his parish's bingo money to the bank when he was robbed and murdered. Although his death was a horror and he was a good man who was highly respected by his priest and other parishioners, nobody called him a martyr. Dying on the way to Mass, at Mass or after Mass does not make one a martyr. The Romans, other pagans, Communists and heretics of all kinds said to Christians over the centuries, "Reject Christ and we will leave you alone." They were answered with a refusal. To be a martyr, one must consciously refuse to deny Our Lord and His Faith.