The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children | USCCB
Today
the Church commemorates the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of
Unborn Children. It is the sad anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision
legalizing abortion. It was on January 22nd, 1973, by a vote of 7-3,
that the Supreme Court legalized a woman’s “right” to have an abortion without
any restrictions from the government. As a result of this decision, countless
innocent children have been killed through abortion.
Abortion rights have been viewed as a woman’s
right to do what she wants with her body.
This doesn’t take into consideration that there are now two bodies
present: the woman’s and the baby’s. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we
read in paragraph 2270: “Human life must be
respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the
first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the
rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent
being to life.”
We hear in today’s gospel from St. Luke that John the Baptist, in
the womb of Elizabeth, leaped for joy when Mary approached, who at this point
was already a few months pregnant with Jesus. Looking at the first chapter of Luke, we can see and understand that life begins at conception. First with the
Annunciation, once Mary said yes to be the mother of the Lord, and the Holy
Spirit came upon her, it was at that very first moment of conception that Jesus
was truly present. And with John the Baptist, we see him active in Elizabeth’s
womb, recognizing the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. What a beautiful sight
that must have been.
In our times, we have modern day prophets speaking out against
abortion. Mother Theresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying “Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to
love, but to use violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest
destroyer of love and peace is abortion.” And Pope-emeritus Benedict said, “The fundamental human right, the
presupposition of every other right, is the right to life itself. This is true
of life from the moment of conception until its natural end. Abortion,
consequently, cannot be a human right -- it is the very opposite. It is a deep
wound in society.”
On this Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the
unborn, let us pray not only for an end to abortion, but also pray for those
mothers who, for whatever reason, may feel they have no other choice but to end
their pregnancy. We can get involved with groups such as the Sisters of Life who make themselves available to women who feel they have no other alternative
but to have an abortion.
Lord Jesus, may we have a greater love and respect for
all life, from conception to natural death. Amen.
Thank you for posting this very important message.
ReplyDeleteSlight correction: it was Elizabeth who was in her 6th month of pregnancy with St. John the Baptist. Our Lady was in her first trimester. After the Annunciation Mary went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was in her 6th month. We don't know how long it took Our Lady to travel from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah where Elizabeth & Zechariah lived, but I suspect the trip took less than one month. So John the Baptist in his 6th month of existence in Elizabeth's womb responded by leaping for joy when Our LORD was probably only in His first month of life in Our Lady's womb. An even greater miracle because it was even before Our Lady probably began to "show". Our Lady remained for 3 months to help with the delivery of John the Baptist, so she was probably 3 months pregnant when she returned home to Nazareth & had the challenge of telling St. Joseph.
Otherwise this was an excellent blog post. When people consider all the violence in this country & in the world,many don't realize that our disrespect for & failure to protect the lives of the unborn could be a factor, because failing to protect life at any stage potentially puts every life at risk.
Support for organizations that help women in crisis pregnancies to choose life is more important than ever!
Thanks, Arlene. You're right and made the correction.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for making the correction.
DeleteFunny thing is that when I preached it at church yesterday, I realized my mistake and corrected it as I was preaching. I just neglected to proof read the homily before I put it on my blog.
DeleteSent via email: Dear Deacon Tom :
ReplyDeleteI had to comment on your beautifully written and so clearly put blog on abortion. When even our Holy Father seems to be of uncertain mind on abortion and the archbishop of Washington, DC is planning to give Communion to Pres. Biden, an avowed supporter of abortion, it seems like our feet are on quicksand.
Thank you for speaking to us for the unborn and especially for those babes who go to full term and are left to die at birth.
May God bless us all.
Yours sincerely,
Irene Califano