Human life is a precious Gift from the
author of all gifts, God Himself! It is God who gives life and it is God who
takes life, at the time, the place, the manner, that He deems is best.
BEGINNING OF LIFE. Life begins at the very moment of
conception. At that precise moment of conception Almighty God infuses an
immortal soul into that new human person and that soul will live for all
eternity. Life ends when the soul leaves
the body to go before Jesus who will judge all of us upon all we have done in
life, good or bad, thoughts, words, deeds, omissions, and even the most secret
intentions hidden in the most profound recesses of our hearts!
conception. At that precise moment of conception Almighty God infuses an
immortal soul into that new human person and that soul will live for all
eternity. Life ends when the soul leaves
the body to go before Jesus who will judge all of us upon all we have done in
life, good or bad, thoughts, words, deeds, omissions, and even the most secret
intentions hidden in the most profound recesses of our hearts!
DOUBLE CELEBRATION/DOUBLE
BLESSING! Rarely does the church
celebrate, in the context of the Liturgical year, twice the glory of a
saint. A few exceptions: St. Joseph, St
Paul, but also SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST.
The saint just mentioned, the
church celebrates his birthday on June 24th and then his death on August 29th.
BLESSING! Rarely does the church
celebrate, in the context of the Liturgical year, twice the glory of a
saint. A few exceptions: St. Joseph, St
Paul, but also SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST.
The saint just mentioned, the
church celebrates his birthday on June 24th and then his death on August 29th.
Of primary importance with respect to
the birth of John the Baptist, is the conception of this Precursor of
Christ. Pious and prayerful, faithful to
her religious obligations, longing to have a child and suffering because he
never came, finally Elizabeth conceives a child in her old age.
the birth of John the Baptist, is the conception of this Precursor of
Christ. Pious and prayerful, faithful to
her religious obligations, longing to have a child and suffering because he
never came, finally Elizabeth conceives a child in her old age.
HER REACTION! Instead of complaining to God for the long
wait, instead of questioning God due to her advanced age, instead of allowing
fear and worry to invade her due to the possibility of a miscarriage, deformed
child or herself possibly dying in child-birth, St. Elizabeth rejoices with the
good news that she was soon to be a mother!
Why this rejoicing confronted with so many possible dangers to her and
the child??? The reason is simple and to
the point: HER DAUNTLESS FAITH, TRUST, AND CONFIDENCE IN A LOVING AND
PROVIDENTIAL GOD! If God allows the
conception, despite exterior circumstances and possible complications, then God
will indeed provide for the child. Our God is a loving God, a tender God, a
compassionate God, an all- wise and intelligent God!
wait, instead of questioning God due to her advanced age, instead of allowing
fear and worry to invade her due to the possibility of a miscarriage, deformed
child or herself possibly dying in child-birth, St. Elizabeth rejoices with the
good news that she was soon to be a mother!
Why this rejoicing confronted with so many possible dangers to her and
the child??? The reason is simple and to
the point: HER DAUNTLESS FAITH, TRUST, AND CONFIDENCE IN A LOVING AND
PROVIDENTIAL GOD! If God allows the
conception, despite exterior circumstances and possible complications, then God
will indeed provide for the child. Our God is a loving God, a tender God, a
compassionate God, an all- wise and intelligent God!
JOYFUL GREETING AND MEETING! Mary in haste travels close to 80
kilometers, climbing, ascending, soaring spiritually to the hill country to
visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary greets
Elizabeth and the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy and Elizabeth is
filled with the Holy Spirit and cries out in a loud voice: “Blessed
are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Who am I that the
mother of my Lord should come and visit me? At the sound of your voice the baby
leapt in my womb. Blessed are you who
believed that what was spoken to you by
the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Lk. 1:42-45)
kilometers, climbing, ascending, soaring spiritually to the hill country to
visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary greets
Elizabeth and the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy and Elizabeth is
filled with the Holy Spirit and cries out in a loud voice: “Blessed
are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Who am I that the
mother of my Lord should come and visit me? At the sound of your voice the baby
leapt in my womb. Blessed are you who
believed that what was spoken to you by
the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Lk. 1:42-45)
PRO-LIFE “PAR-EXCELLENCE”! Here we have a Pro-life passage at its
best. These two women, Elizabeth and
Mary, in the modern, technologically advanced society would be two prime candidates
for abortion! Why? The modern hedonistic, materialistic, utilitarian reasoning
process would dictate the following.
One was way too young to have a child. Most likely, Mary was in her
mid-teens. Whereas, Elizabeth was, by far, way too old to have a child, an old
woman beyond belief of having a child!
Modern society would cry out! “Quality of life” first and foremost! It is not the time, the place, the economic situation propitious for a child!
best. These two women, Elizabeth and
Mary, in the modern, technologically advanced society would be two prime candidates
for abortion! Why? The modern hedonistic, materialistic, utilitarian reasoning
process would dictate the following.
One was way too young to have a child. Most likely, Mary was in her
mid-teens. Whereas, Elizabeth was, by far, way too old to have a child, an old
woman beyond belief of having a child!
Modern society would cry out! “Quality of life” first and foremost! It is not the time, the place, the economic situation propitious for a child!
COUNTER-CULTURAL: FAITH AND TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN TOTALITY! Both Mary and
Elizabeth said “yes” to life, despite the possible obstacles. Behold the result
of their responses in faith! The birth of John the Baptist, “the greatest man born of woman”; then the birth of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the living God, Our savior, Redeemer and the “best of lovers”! How
counter-cultural are the saints, and how counter-cultural St. Elizabeth and the
Blessed Virgin Mary!
Elizabeth said “yes” to life, despite the possible obstacles. Behold the result
of their responses in faith! The birth of John the Baptist, “the greatest man born of woman”; then the birth of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the living God, Our savior, Redeemer and the “best of lovers”! How
counter-cultural are the saints, and how counter-cultural St. Elizabeth and the
Blessed Virgin Mary!
SHINING EXAMPLES AS STARS OF THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT.
How then, following in the footsteps of St. Elizabeth and the Blessed Virgin Mary can we ourselves be fervent and
ardent promoters of the “Gospel of Life vs. the Culture of Death?” (Pope John
Paul II). Some practical suggestions!
ardent promoters of the “Gospel of Life vs. the Culture of Death?” (Pope John
Paul II). Some practical suggestions!
1. TEEN CHASTITY! One of the key reasons for abortions among
the very young is due to an inadequate formation in the virtue of chastity
among the young. May parents have the audacity and intelligence to educate
their young in the value of purity, chastity, and simply patience in holding
off on a dangerous juvenile and premature courtship. The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 teaches very
clearly on this point: “There is a time for everything underneath the sun…” There is a time to have a boy/girlfriend and
there is a time to avoid!
the very young is due to an inadequate formation in the virtue of chastity
among the young. May parents have the audacity and intelligence to educate
their young in the value of purity, chastity, and simply patience in holding
off on a dangerous juvenile and premature courtship. The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 teaches very
clearly on this point: “There is a time for everything underneath the sun…” There is a time to have a boy/girlfriend and
there is a time to avoid!
2. ENCOURAGEMENT TOWARDS THE PREGNANT WOMAN! All too often women have recourse to
abortion because they are surrounded by people and “friends” that discourage
them in their pregnancy, when they should be encouraged the most! Such
responses as, “Oh, another one!” Or,
“Where are you going to put him?” Still
yet, “You already have 3, 4????” All of
these “Culture of death” expressions indirectly could be leading the woman into
the clutches of the abortion team! Pro-lifers’ response should always be
positive, encouraging, upbeat and optimistic, like: “Praise the Lord!” “That child will be a blessing to
society!’ “I will pray for you and the
child and anything you need, I will be there!”
Finally, “what name will you give him/her?” These encouraging words
could turn the tide and encourage the scared, fearful and confused woman, like
Elizabeth and Mary, to say “Yes” to life!
abortion because they are surrounded by people and “friends” that discourage
them in their pregnancy, when they should be encouraged the most! Such
responses as, “Oh, another one!” Or,
“Where are you going to put him?” Still
yet, “You already have 3, 4????” All of
these “Culture of death” expressions indirectly could be leading the woman into
the clutches of the abortion team! Pro-lifers’ response should always be
positive, encouraging, upbeat and optimistic, like: “Praise the Lord!” “That child will be a blessing to
society!’ “I will pray for you and the
child and anything you need, I will be there!”
Finally, “what name will you give him/her?” These encouraging words
could turn the tide and encourage the scared, fearful and confused woman, like
Elizabeth and Mary, to say “Yes” to life!
3. EYE-CATCHING BUMPER-STICKERS! Jesus’ last words before ascending into
heaven were to go out to the whole world and preach the Gospel. Why not use bumper stickers to promote the cause of
the unborn child. Here is one for
you: “IT IS A CHILD NOT A CHOICE!”
heaven were to go out to the whole world and preach the Gospel. Why not use bumper stickers to promote the cause of
the unborn child. Here is one for
you: “IT IS A CHILD NOT A CHOICE!”
4. VOTING! Voting is a duty as well as a privilege! When
voting we should always take into account the “Non-negotiables”— meaning that
these are always immoral and sinful. What are the “non-negotiables?” Euthanasia—the killing of the aged or infirm
due to poor health; Contraception (avoiding children in the wrong way);
Homosexuality (same-sex unions); Embryonic experimentation (killing little
babies in laboratories) and finally ABORTION—the killing of the innocent unborn
baby! Upon voting, these “Non-negotiables” should always be of the highest priority in choosing a candidate!
These are key issues that refer to the importance of human life and the destiny
of the family, which is the basic building-block of society. (Pope John Paul II)
voting we should always take into account the “Non-negotiables”— meaning that
these are always immoral and sinful. What are the “non-negotiables?” Euthanasia—the killing of the aged or infirm
due to poor health; Contraception (avoiding children in the wrong way);
Homosexuality (same-sex unions); Embryonic experimentation (killing little
babies in laboratories) and finally ABORTION—the killing of the innocent unborn
baby! Upon voting, these “Non-negotiables” should always be of the highest priority in choosing a candidate!
These are key issues that refer to the importance of human life and the destiny
of the family, which is the basic building-block of society. (Pope John Paul II)
5. PRAYER. Our most powerful weapon in fighting against abortion is prayer and sacrifice. Our Lady of Fatima insisted
on both! What prayers? The Rosary in which we praise “Jesus the fruit of the womb of Mary”. Then, the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy, in which we beg mercy for us as well as the whole world. Finally,
the most powerful and efficacious prayer is THE SACRIFICE OF HOLY MASS. The
Mass is by far the most efficacious prayer because we offer to God the Father
the Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.” Consecrations, Offertories, Communions,
Mass intentions— all have omnipotent power to placate the anger of God,
repair for the 53 million abortions since Roe vs. Wade and to prevent the
future shedding of innocent Blood!
on both! What prayers? The Rosary in which we praise “Jesus the fruit of the womb of Mary”. Then, the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy, in which we beg mercy for us as well as the whole world. Finally,
the most powerful and efficacious prayer is THE SACRIFICE OF HOLY MASS. The
Mass is by far the most efficacious prayer because we offer to God the Father
the Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.” Consecrations, Offertories, Communions,
Mass intentions— all have omnipotent power to placate the anger of God,
repair for the 53 million abortions since Roe vs. Wade and to prevent the
future shedding of innocent Blood!
In conclusion, may St. Elizabeth and the Blessed Virgin Mary, through their powerful prayers and brilliant example, and motherly love encourage us to say “yes” to life. Human life is a precious gift from God, from the moment of conception until natural death. Amen!
