Last weekend, in my bulletin reflection for the first Sunday of the month of October, I mentioned that October is Respect Life in the US Catholic Church, as designated by our US Bishops. We might ask ourselves: why would we have an entire month dedicated to that theme in our Church? As Catholics, we believe that every life is sacred, from the moment of conception until natural death. We believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Thus, we believe that every person has inherent dignity, no matter his age or health or education or culture or status in life. In addition, this belief is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. In the month of October, our US Bishops ask us to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and to reflect on how we can build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death.
This week, Bishop Kopacz is going to issue a video in commemoration of Respect Life Month. Part of Bishop Kopacz’s statement will express our Diocese's support for a Mississippi law that was passed in our state in 2018, which prohibited abortions after 15 weeks. This law never was implemented, as it was blocked by a federal appellate court. However, the US Supreme Court has put this case on its docket, with arguments being presented on December 1. We pray for our Attorney General Lynn and all those who are involved in presenting this case before the Supreme Court.
Our respect for life included many issues: abortion, prison reform, help for those battling addictions, affordable and accessible housing and health care, respect for the elderly and those in vulnerable stages of life, rights for workers, accessible education, euthanasia, assisted suicide, rights of victims, public safety, and stewardship and protection of the environment.
Here are some quotes that I think get to the heart of the ways we can grow in our respect of life. Mother Teresa states: “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” By encountering God in silence and in his creation here on earth, we will grow in our love of God and love of neighbor, helping us see God in others and in all his creation here on earth.
Secondly, here is quote from English author Elizabeth Goudge from her book Blue Dolphin Street: “Nothing living should ever be treated with contempt. Whatever it is that lives, a man, a tree, or a bird, should be touched gently, because the time is short. Civilization is another word for respect for life.” Yes, we are to value all life as it is a part of God's good creation.
Finally, a quote from Dr Seuss who puts in a very simple humble way: “A person's a person, no matter how small.”
Blessings to all of you. Have a blessed week. Father Lincoln.
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