“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

 

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

On this date, January 22^nd, we remember the tragic Supreme Court Decision from 1973, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the United States. Because of this ruling, countless number of children have been killed through abortion.  Since that day the church has called each diocese in the United States to observe “a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through the act of abortion.”

The church clearly teaches that abortion is evil and, as Catholics, we are to reject it and are to protect human life from conception to natural death. The Catholic Church clearly teaches the following:

 

• Life Begins at Conception: The Church believes a human being exists from conception, possessing inherent dignity and rights, including the fundamental right to life

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• Grave Moral Evil: Direct abortion, defined as intentionally ending a pregnancy, is considered a serious violation of God's law, contrary to the commandment "You shall not kill".
• Unchangeable Doctrine: The Catechism states this teaching has been consistent since the first century and remains unchangeable. 

With that in mind, we are all called to help defend innocent children from being killed by abortion, while at the same time showing compassion towards women who may feel trapped in a situation that they have unfortunately found themselves in. We are never to condemn a woman who may have chosen to have an abortion, but rather we are called to show her God’s compassion and forgiveness.

To help prevent abortions, we can start supporting such groups that not only seek to protect the child in the womb, but to offer help to woman in crises pregnancies. One such group is the Sisters of Life, founded by Cardinal O’Connor in 1991.

From their website we read, “Entrusting ourselves completely to the Lord of Life, we commit our lives to the protection of human life and to the promotion of new life in Christ, acknowledging the goodness of every person, and sharing the gift of God’s abundant mercy with all those we meet.” The Sisters of Life offer to women in crisis pregnancy help and protection during their difficult situation, protecting not only the baby, but helping the mother through whatever difficulties they are facing because of their pregnancy. They also offer retreats for those who may have had an abortion but are seeking God’s love, forgiveness and healing. Having an abortion can be very traumatic for the woman who had one done. The Sisters of Life offer healing and God’s forgiveness.

As we pray for an end to abortion, let us pray also for all those who may be in a situation where they feel they have no other choice but to get an abortion. And let us pray for those who may have had an abortion and are looking for healing and forgiveness from God.

If you wish, you can make me clean

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of one of many healings of someone with leprosy. This person had a great deal of courage in approaching our Lord to be healed. Back during the time of the Lord, lepers were to separate themselves from society in order for others not to catch their disease. Anyone touching a leper would be considered unclean and have to separate themselves from society as well. So, being a leper was a lonely life away from family and friends. This leper was desperate to get some relief and be healed. He heard of all the stories of Jesus’ healing power and went to the Lord, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Then Jesus’, amazingly, touches the leper to heal him. The Lord could just spoken the words of healing. He could have just gave the command, “Be healed” and the leper would have been healed. But Jesus saw the need to touch the leper. He knew the leper was desperate for a human touch. So, the Lord reached out, touched him, and healed him.

Overjoyed, the leper, instead of going to the priests to prove he was healed, went and started sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He was so overjoyed to be part of society and to be healed thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In our own lives the Lord has answered many of our prayers, maybe not as dramatically as being cured from some horrible disease like leprosy. But the Lord is always present in our lives, answering our prayers in many smaller ways. As a result, we too are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jeus is available for all of us, and we are called to share the good news that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Further, if we are going through any sort of problem or issue that causes us worry, or if we have a health issue, like the man in the gospel, turn to Jesus in prayer and ask Jesus to enter into the situation to heal us of the worry or health issue we are facing. Jesus, in is own way, will answer your prayer in a way that’s best for you and your situation. Jesus will always answer our prayer and be present to us in all our needs.

Lord Jesus, please grant us the healing that we need so that we can proclaim to others that you are Lord and Messiah.

Whoever loves God must also love his brother

 

Scripture for this reflection can be found at  Thursday after Epiphany | USCCB

In our first reading from the first Letter of Saint John we hear the challenging words of love. Central to all of John’s writings is that we not only believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep his commandments, but John is teaching what the Lord Jesus Christ had taught throughout His ministry on earth: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” John makes it very clear when he says, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1John 4:20).  These are strong words. We all can say that we love God, but when it comes to loving our neighbor and doing good for them, that’s when things start getting tough and challenging.

The challenge is to try to live out this gospel of love in our day-to-day life. We will always encounter people, whether in our families or those we meet during the day, that we just simply do not like, no less love. Our own families could be the most challenging since they know us so well. They could be those family members that may be away from the regular practice of the faith and just get angry at us for being faithful to God and His commandments. It is in these situations that God is calling us to return that hatred and anger towards us with that of love that John speaks about. As the old saying goes, LOVE CONQUORS ALL.

In our gospel for today from St. Luke, we hear of Jesus returning to Nazareth and going to the synagogue. He then reads from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” The people were amazed when he says that this scripture is fulfilled in their hearing. Here’s this man who they knew from childhood proclaiming to be the fulfillment of this prophecy from Isaiah. The gospel goes on to say that they were amazed at the words that came from Jesus. As we know, eventually they have a problem accepting Him as the long-awaited Messiah and proceed to have him crucified.

Our scripture readings for today are teaching us two things: to always love God and neighbor with our whole being, and we are to accept Jesus Christ as our savior and keep his commandments in our daily lives. Jesus is always to be at the center of how we live our lives.

As we live out our faith daily, let us pray not only for ourselves that we may remain faithful to our love of God and his commandments, but let us pray for those people who reject God for whatever reason that they may come into relationship with God and to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

"COME TO THE MANGER"

 

We have a contributor today from Arlene Muller, lector & Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Pancras Parish, Singer in St. Margaret's Choir, Professed Secular Franciscan at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity, itinerant speech/language Therapist with Preschool Children with Delayed Language Development. Arlene likes to write spiritual reflections in words and song to promote the gospel & the gospel of life. Her song "Anthem of Praise" is song by the Adult & Youth Choirs at St. Margaret's Church. 

From Arlene: The following is a CHRISTMAS SONG I am working on.  These are the words.  The melody is in my head & I can sing it (unfortunately the video of myself singing it a capella that I made is too large for me to share), but I would need help in transcribing it.

Inspired by the example of Don Besig & Nancy Price, who have written songs around traditional hymns & several of whose choral pieces we frequently sing in St. Margaret's Choir, I am incorporating the third verse of "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, which is very relevant to the rest of my song. The USCCB guidelines recommended writing new settings for traditional hymns.

I am hoping that we will be able to sing it in St. Margaret's Combined Adult & Youth Choirs at our 2026 CHRISTMAS CONCERT.

"COME TO THE MANGER"    By Arlene B. Muller

Verse#1:

Once upon à midnight clear/In a little town called BETHLEHEM,

In the stillness of that holy night,

To our cold and dark world came the LORD, our Everlasting Light.

Verse #2:

In the noise and crowds of every inn

There was not one room to let our coming LORD and Savior in.

Just a manger in a hidden cave

Was the only quiet place that could receive this holy Babe.

1st Chorus: very different melody- bright & joyful-change to 3/4 time:

COME TO THE MANGER AND SEE HIM--

GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!

WITH MARY AND JOSEPH, ADORE HIM!

TAKE SOME TIME TO LET "BUSY-NESS"CEASE!

Verse 3 (back to original melody & rhythm/meter):

Not to ivory palaces/Did the message of the angels of the birth of JESUS come;

But to shepherds working in the fields--

To the lowly who would recognize our SAVIOR CHRIST, GOD'S ONLY SON!

Incorporate Verse #3 of O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Traditional Hymn):

"HOW SILENTLY, HOW SILENTLY 

THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN.

SO GOD IMPARTS TO HUMAN HEARTS

THE BLESSINGS OF HIS HEAVEN.

NO EAR MAY HEAR HIS COMING,

BUT IN THIS WORLD OF SIN,

WHERE MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM STILL

THE DEAR CHRIST ENTERS IN."

Final Chorus - back to melody & 3/4 time of first chorus:

Let us humble our hearts to receive Him--

GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!

Join with heaven and earth to adore HIM,

And find rest in His heavenly peace!

(C)Copyright 2025 by Arlene B. Muller