Sunday was the anniversary of the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision. January 22. But because that day fell on a Sunday, our annual day of pray for the legal protection of unborn children is being transferred to Monday, January 23. The Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision legalized abortion in this country. From a lawsuit brought the Supreme Court by the state of Mississippi, that law was overturned. Abortion contradicts the Gospel of life that it is an essential and foundational belief of our Catholic faith.
In seminary, one of the textbooks that we used in our course on Peace and Justice was entitled Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret. Why should Catholic Social Teaching be such a secret if it is such an essential part of our faith, if it so fundamental to what it means to be Catholic?
The starting point of Catholic Social Teaching is the value of the human person, recognizing that we are all made in God’s image and that we are all redeemed by our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are all precious and unique as human beings. Our value is rooted in who we are as human beings, not by what we do. All of our Church’s social teaching begins with and builds upon the foundation of human dignity.
As part of this holistic view of human dignity, our Church teaches the value of human life as a seamless garment from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Our human dignity is threatened not only by legalized abortion and euthanasia, but also by such policies that allow cloning, embryonic stem cell research, genocide, torture, racism, the targeting of non-combatants in acts of war and terrorism, and the death penalty. As Catholics, we cannot pick and choose what we believe in regard to the dignity of human life. The Catholic Church teaches that which was echoed in the message of the prophets of the ancient Israel: that the measure of any society is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person, particularly the poor and the most vulnerable in society, including unborn human life.
Even though the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision was overturned, we still have a lot of work to do as a society. Sometimes we feel that our Catholic belief come under attack when we profess them in our words and our actions. However, we should not fear professing to the world what we truly believe in the Gospel of Life. Jesus was not afraid to answer the Pharisees’ criticism, to stand up to them and tell them what the kingdom of God is all about. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to empower us, to give us the courage to stand up for what we belief, even if it seems so at odds with what is popular and acceptable in our secular society. May we truly live out the Gospel of Life in our lives.
Let us pray:
Most precious Lord, you dwelt within the womb of your dear mother, sanctifying the womb, and elevating the dignity of all human life. We pray today for the full legal protection of every unborn child. We pray that every heart that supports abortion will be changed so as to experience the freedom that comes from living in God’s truth. May we offer to you this day: all our sufferings and sacrifices to help atone for every violation against human dignity, especially those committed through acts of abortion. Please bring healing, hope, and freedom to all. Mother Mary, pray for us and for our country. Jesus, we trust in you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln.
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