Blog Archives | Page 147 of 170 | Fr. Ed Broom, OMV Oblates of the Virgin Mary

Jul 03 2012

VOTING INSPIRED BY CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES

Friends, we all have a double citizenship! We have a permanent home
in heaven. Jesus said that He has gone
to prepare a place in heaven, in which there are many mansions and one of those
mansions is awaiting us! However, we are also earthly citizens, living in the
world and in contact with material and temporal realities. We must act always
in such a way that our minds and hearts are elevated to heavenly realities and
to act accordingly. This indeed should
influence the way we vote! Following are
ideas to help to create a “Christian mindset” for voting. As St. Paul reminds us, “Put on the mind of
Christ!”

1.   AMOS READING. (Amos chapter 2). The prophet Amos depicts a society that has
lost respect for human life, “They sell the just man for silver, and the poor
man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of
the earth, and force the lowly out of the way. Son and father go to the same
prostitute, profaning my holy name…”    Human life becomes cheap, especially when it
is not respected from the very start.
Mother Teresa says that if we kill the most innocent we should not be
surprised that human life will not be respected as a whole. Father Juan Rivas, L.C. stated that once abortion was
legalized in Mexico (D.F.) a wave of violence ensued.

2.   VOTE!   Consider it a privilege as well as a
duty. Apathy! Today many are disgruntled due to the society
and have decided simply not to vote, wrong!
The Political philosopher Edmund Burke put it well, “So that evil triumph, it is sufficient that
good men do nothing.”   We can sin
through omission too! Remember Dives and
Lazarus. (Lk.16). The rich man was
condemned not for what he did do, but what he failed to do!

3. CHRISTIAN-CATHOLIC CONSCIENCE IN
VOTING. There is the danger of the“Dictatorship of moral
relativism” as well as “Cafeteria Catholicism”. Absolute truth exists as expressed by the
Bible, the Church, The Magisterium, presided over by the Pope. When the Pope
speaks on matters regarding faith, doctrine and morals, then he is infallible because
it is the Holy Spirit who is guiding him and the Holy Spirit is the TRUTH!

4.   GUIDING PRINCIPLES: THE NON-NEGOTIABLES.   There are certain topics that do not have
supreme, paramount importance. Therefore, they should be taken less
seriously. However, there are other
topics that are of extreme importance, that will have influence on life and
death, time and eternity, salvation and damnation! These are the “Non-negotiables!” By the term
“non-negotiable” is meant that these actions and decisions are intrinsically
wrong, disordered and sinful. They
trespass against the Natural Law, reason, and, of course, Divine will, meaning
against God’s will!   Also these are
perennial—meaning that these are not subject to change according to time,
social mores and customs, persons and circumstances!   What then are the NON-NEGOTIABLES? Let us get to know them and defend the TRUTH which will set us free!

A. EUTHANASIA. This false philosophical system militates against the dignity of the
human person. Euphemistically it has been called “Mercy-killing” (Dr. Kevorkian).
It asserts that human life has value only insomuch as it is economically
productive. This philosophy had its
origin among the 19th century political-social philosophers J.S.
Mill as well as Jeremy Bentham. Therefore, an elderly person who is incontinent, senile, with
Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease or on dialysis—all the above are considered
an economic burden to society. Logically, better to truncate their lives.
Modern society exalts the “5 Bs”— BEAUTY, BRAINS, BRAWN, BIG-BUCKS!!!! Furthermore, Euthanasia
can extend to using the ULTRASOUND, thereby detecting an extra gene— meaning
the person will be a “Downs” child and thereby eliminate the child before he is
born! Jesus lived and preached and died for the exact opposite. Born in
poverty, siding especially with the poor, sick, disabled, blind deaf-mute and
lepers. He also preached: “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

B.   EMBRYONIC EXPERIMENTATION. Today laboratories are spending huge sums of
money to try to create the perfect baby!   A Harvard, handsome athlete donating his sperm with a Hollywood
actress—by uniting the two, a perfect person will be created! In the meantime, those who are less perfect
can be discarded at will!   We want to play God: To decide who will come into
the world, the way they will come into the world and the time and manner that
they should leave the world!   One of the first things we should remind ourselves every morning is that there is a GOD in
the world and I am not HIM.

C.   CLONING!   Trying to create the human person in the
wrong manner. As willed by God, human life should be conceived only by the
mutual embrace between man and woman, better yet, husband and wife married
sacramentally in the church.   Then God
decides on procreation! In the moment of
conception, God infuses the immortal soul that will live for all eternity! We must not contradict God’s will and tamper
with human life!

D.  HOMOSEXUALITY!   In the first book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis, we read that God created man and woman. Actually the first command that God gives in the Bible is INCREASE AND MULTIPLY! God did not create “Adam and Steve, but Adam and Eve!” Homosexuality transgresses all laws: natural law, ecclesiastical law, divine law and even common sense! However, the most clear Biblical evidence is founded in Genesis 19, in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah.   These two cities fell into extreme moral
depravity—specifically, the practice of homosexuality. Lot and his family lived there. Angels came to visit the family of Lot, taking on the appearance of attractive men. The depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah was so great that they lusted after these angels, and would not stop until they terminated molesting them. Lot offered his daughters but the residents
of Sodom and Gomorrah would have nothing to do with this trade!   Long story short, the angels came to the
door blinding these perverts and then God told Lot and his family to flee from
the cities and not even to look back. Lot’s wife did and was transformed into a
pillar of salt. Then God chastised the
residents of Sodom and Gomorrah by raining down from heaven fire and brimstone
thereby destroying the cities and their inhabitants!   That is why the practice of homosexuality is
such a heinous crime and sin that it is one of the few that cries to heaven for
vengeance! In voting, we must oppose
homosexual/lesbian unions and support the family, which is according to Pope
John Paul II the basic building block of society and the domestic church!

E.    ABORTION. Last but not least, we must
take into account in casting our vote the defense of the most defenseless—that
is to say the unborn baby who is in the womb of the mother.   The safest place for the child should be the
womb of the mother. Sad to say, The womb of the mother has become the tomb of the child.
Unfortunately, it has become the most unsafe place due to abortion—
the killing of the innocent child. Abortion is the most common operation in
USA. Since Roe vs. Wade close to 52 million surgical abortions, 4,000 a day, and close to one abortion every 20
seconds (3 a minute).   To make matters worse, chemical abortions, by taking “Plan B”—the after morning pill, as well
as hormonal contraceptives–have caused probably 200-300 million more “Micro
abortions”. This means “microscopic”—they are so small and in the early stages that these
abortions—murders—can only be seen under a microscope! Still, we must defend
life as a gift from God, starting at the very first moment of life, which is
conception! Therefore, in voting, we must take into account the most important criteria— the importance of the
fundamental and basic institution founded by God Himself, the family; furthermore, we must be the voice of the
little child who cannot speak for himself. As the baby is aborted, he screams
in pain! We must be the voice to defend
him by voting motivated by proper, just and loving criteria! May our voting save the FAMILY! May our voting save the unborn child.   “Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Jul 02 2012

MARY: GOD’S MASTERPIECE IN CREATION—PRAYERS!

The Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Tower of Ivory, House of God, Ark of the Covenant, Gate of Heaven, Morning Star, Queenof saints, and Queen of the angels, Queen of all hearts—all of these are beautiful and mystical and poetic expressions for the Blessed Virgin Mary, who St. Louis de Montfort also exalts as GOD’S MASTERPIECE OF CREATION.

Human, finite and limited human expressions cannot express the exalted and sublime nature of GOD’S MASTERPIECE OF CREATION: THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

If that were not enough, related to the Blessed Trinity, Mary is most intimately related. Mary is the Daughter of the Eternal Father; Mary is the Mother of God the Son; Mary is the Mystical Spouse of the Holy

Spirit. Her relationship to the Trinity

is unique and unrepeatable! Therefore,

by drawing close to Mary, praying to Mary and loving Mary, we enhance our

relationship with the Blessed Trinity.

PRAYERS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY— A POWERFUL CONNECTION!

Prayer is our power and our connection to the Almighty. Our prayer

to Mary should be faithful, frequent and fervent! What are the prayers that cause the

Immaculate Heart of Mary to rejoice? Following are the traditional and

classics!

1.   MORNING OFFERING.   We ought to start off our day on the right foot, with the right words and the right intentions. Upon awaking our first thoughts, intentions, movement of the heart and words should be to Jesus and

Mary. Therefore, start off your day with the ACT OF CONSECRATION of your day to Jesus through Mary.   St. Louis de Montfort in his classic TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY gives us a wonderful analogy of how we can have access to the king. A poor man wants to offer the King a bruised apple. The King will never receive the apple directly from the pauper/poor man. HHowever, if the poor man knows the Queen and presents the apple to the Queen, then she

will polish the apple, place it on a golden platter, deposit the apple between

two flowers and present it to the King and His Majesty will receive it. Why?

Not because of the apple in itself, much less due to the poor man, but “yes”

due to the Queen who presents the apple to him. Our actions are poor, tainted with sin and concupiscence, but if placed in the hands of the Queen—the Blessed Virgin Mary—she purifies, polishes and perfects

them so that the King accepts them.Jesus rejoices in us, the more He sees Mary present in our lives and our hearts! Start off your day by giving all to Jesus through Mary! Great and quick path to

holiness!   The motto Of Blessed Pope John Paul, the Great was TOTOS TUUS—from de

Montfort, meaning, “Jesus I am all yours through the hands of Mary.”

2. THE ANGELUS! A prayer that the Holy Father prays publicly every Sunday, before a crowd of people at 12 noon and then imparts his Papal blessing! This short but powerful prayer summarizes the two hinges of the Catholic faith— The incarnation of the Son of God, and the Paschal Mystery, “through His passion and death may we be come to the glory of the Resurrection. Traditionally it has been prayed at noon. However, why not start a new tradition and pray the Angelus three times: at 9:00 a.m., 12 noon as 6:00 p.m. Why these three times? To start three key

moments of the day with Mary who leads us to Jesus. Sanctify the morning (9), the afternoon (12 p.m.)

and the evening (6:00 p.m.)praying the Angelus. A renowned writer stated: “Where there is little success it is because there is little Mary.

3. MEMORARE. This beautiful prayer, attributed to

the “Mellifluous Doctor”, St. Bernard

has been cherished by Catholics for centuries.

A young man fell into deep depression, convinced that he could not be

saved. Sleepless nights, loss of appetite and perpetual worry, had transformed

him into a skeleton. His prayer was,

“Lord if I have to go to hell at least allow me to love you there.” Divine Providence has many surprises, such

that he wandered into the Church of Our of Lady of Victories, knelt down and

prayed the MEMORARE… “Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to your protection was left unaided…..” Upon finishing the prayer, the young man arose

and the depression l was lifted from him like a dense cloud. He returned to his studies, got his degree in

Law and then turned to the priesthood dedicating himself to writing, missionary work, was elected Bishop, founder of a Congregation, and was praised by a friend saint of his (Saint Vincent de

Paul) as the most clear reflection of the Person of Jesus on earth. The name of this person, aided by Mary in the

recitation of the Memorare was none other than SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES! Therefore, in moments of temptation, why not call out to Mary and pray the MEMORARE!

She will never leave you in the lurch nor abandon you!

4.   HAIL HOLY QUEEN!   One of the greatest theologians and doctors

of the Church, known as the “Marian Doctor” for his great love for Mary is

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI.   His “Marian masterpiece” was THE GLORIES OF MARY.

This brilliant saint synthesized 1750 years of Mariology and condensed

it in the book THE GLORIES OF MARY. Concretely, the saint takes the HAIL HOLY

QUEEN , and word for word explains the prayer. He cites countless saints,

Marian writers, as well as giving colorful and easy to remember stories to manifest the powerful intercession of Mary, especially under the title as Queen.   St. Ignatius,

teaching on prayer, suggests a method in which we take a well-known prayer and

say the words quietly and slowly, relishing each one of the words. Why not

start with the HAIL HOLY QUEEN, a beautiful prayer that we pray to conclude the

Rosary, as well as the 5th and last Mystery of the Holy Rosary. Mary is Queen of angels, confessors, martyrs,

virgins, and saints. May she also be the

“Queen of your heart!” By the way, purchase

and read Liguouri’s masterpiece, THE GLORIES OF MARY. Your knowledge and love for “The Queen of

Heaven and earth will skyrocket!!!!

5.   HOLY ROSARY. Not to mention the HAIL MARY/ ROSARY would be

remiss and all but complete in our tour of Marian devotion and our selection of

the most renowned of Marian prayers!   In

the DIARY OF MERCY IN MY SOUL of St. Faustina Kowalska, the saint had great

devotion to Our Lady, Mother of mercy.

One of the practices that Saint Faustina persevered in was that of the

practice of NOVENAS, but especially Marian novenas. Shocked as you may be, before the Immaculate

Conception/ Assumption, Faustina made a novena in which she would pray 1000

HAIL MARYS every day for 9 days!

Wow!   We struggle to pray a

Rosary a day! Mary revealed to the saint

that at the recitation of every HAIL MARY, her heart would leap with joy! May our love for Mary manifest itself by frequent, fervent, and fiery HAIL MARYS!   This

indeed fills Mary’s heart with joy and will cause a torrential downpour of

graces upon us, our family, our community, our country and the whole world!

Jun 30 2012

FANTASTIC, FAITHFUL FABULOUS FATHERS, WHERE ARE THEY?

All too often desperate mothers, with their hearts laden with sorrow and their conscience smeared with guilt and
their strength depleted to the last drop of energy, come crying to me to give
them a solution to their wandering, lost, and forlorn child. Drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction,
cohabitation, gang involvement, attempted suicide— usually these are in the
“Litany of despair” bemoaning the sad plight of the mother’s son or daughter.

As priest, Pastor,and friend, I
usually ask two pointed questions!
First, how is you and your son’s relationship with God? Usually, it is either weak or
non-existent! Then, the next key
question that I ask sincerely to the weeping mother is: “Where is the father
and what is he doing to help this wayward, prodigal son????”

Usually the mother, with sadness and
sometimes anger responds: “He left us and is out of the scene.” Or, “
His Dad works hard all day, but is never involved in the life of his kids! For
him, to be a good father, is simply to work, make money, pay the bills and put
the bread and milk on the table!”

Bingo! The reason for children falling into immorality, depression, gang activities and attempting society is clear— No
God the Father and no earthly Father! Children desperately need the presence of God, but also the presence of
God the Father mediated through the channel of their earthly father, who indeed
should be the first to reflect the Heavenly Father to their children!

This being the state of affairs, absent fathers, drop-out Dad’s, workaholic Dad’s prioritizing their work and
money over their child, what can we do to foster true, authentic, loving but
firm Fathers? The future of the child, the family, the society and the world depends on the formation of TRUE
FATHERS. Below are 5 indispensable qualities of a true father. Let us storm heaven and pray that this will be the path of
our future fathers!

1.   MAN OF GOD. First and foremost a true Father must be a true son of God the
Father.   If the earthly father has
established a loving, tender and intimate relationship with God as Father, then
he will be able to communicate this to his children.   Of great importance also is that fathers
should look to with great love, devotion and reverence to good SAINT
JOSEPH.   The greatest earthly father is good
SAINT JOSEPH.

2. LOVING AND FAITHFUL
SPOUSE/HUSBAND. When husbands truly
love their wives, when there is great respect and tenderness of husband toward
his wife, when the husband rejoices and laughs heartily in the presence of his
wife, then the family atmosphere is festive and joyful. The children can
breathe peace and joy in the air! On the other hand, where there are quarrels
and fights between husband and wife, mean looks, and a cruel cemetery silence,
then the children are confused, insecure and fall into a state of
depression! Listen to St. Paul,
“Husbands love your wives as you do your own body… and love is patient and
kind… Great words of encouragement from St. Paul!

3. LOVING AND INVOLVED FATHER. After work, family time is just starting. Even
though work can be stressful and draining, still true fathers must walk the
extra mile and be available for their family. Dad must be there and involved!
How? First, to pray with his family. “The family that prays together, stays
together.” The father should be the spiritual leader— if you like, “The priest” of the family. Dad takes the
initiative in religion! Second, eat meals together and talk, communicate, get
the family members to tell what has happened and what is going on. Third, play
time! Children love to play and especially with Dad. Studies show that looking
in retrospect, some of the most happy and rewarding moments where when Dad was
playing with them! Piggy back rides,
airplane, wrestling, arm-wrestling—all of these serve to establish a deep and
lasting rapport between Father and son.
Many have turned toward a homosexual lifestyle because they never
experienced the warmth of a father’s embrace in their childhood!

4. HARD AND DEDICATED WORKERS! No freebees!
“No pain, no gain!” Success comes
from “Blood, sweat and tears” and a lot of the three! True fathers should
implement the “Two-P’s!”— to protect their family and to provide for their
family! A true father is a GOOD
SHEPHERD to his flock! He works hard to
provide for the material, emotional, social and spiritual needs of his
children. Furthermore, he is ready and willing to protect the home from the
entrance of wolves who seek, on the sly, to enter, to devour and kill the
innocent! Today, more than ever, good fathers should be vigilant in the use of
the Modern Mass media—that is to say, T.V. Radio, Internet, I-pod and I-pads,
movies… Remember that the eyes are the mirror to the soul.

5. JOKE, JOSTLE, JOY, JESTER, JIFFY-FREE! There is a time for everything underneath the sun. A true father enjoys being with his kids. This can be very efficaciously accomplished, the finishing touch or the cream on the cake, by humor, jokes, and the “lighter side.” During tense moments that all families eventually have to traverse, a little bit of humor, a funny joke or surprise laughter can dissipate the bad odor of those tense moments! All spiritual writers agree on this point: the devil goes fishing in a sad, depressed and desolate soul. A multitude of demons descend upon lazy souls but also sad and depressed souls!

Fabulous, faithful, fantastic fathers can be a reality! The future of the
woman, the future of the son/daughter, the future of the family, as well as the
future of the society as a whole depends much upon the formation of true
fathers. Let us earnestly pray that men who are called to the married state
would strive with all the energy of their wills to attain this most noble of
goals! Good Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Jun 29 2012

Fatherless society: world in crisis!

Teenage delinquency, unwanted teenage
pregnancies and soaring rates of abortions among the young, abuse of drink and drugs at a frightening
younger age, plummeting grades in school leading to truancy and dropouts, and
worse of all, high rates of suicide among the teen— all of the above haunts
the modern society in ever growing numbers the last quarter of the century?

Why? Why all of this and at such an alarmingly fast pace? The first response is clear, simple and to
the point: an ever-increasing rejection of the Presence of God in the society.
Materialism and consumerism, hedonism, agnosticism often culminating in atheism—all of these tend
to suffocate the presence of God in the
society. A “Godless” society is capable
of anything! For that reason, St. Teresa
of Avila asserted, “One who is living in mortal sin, we should not be surprised
what he does, but rather what he does not do, as regards to the limit of evil!

Still there is another reason for
children and teenagers falling into so many moral pitfalls and it is due to the
modern FATHERLESS SOCIETY. In the past
few years classic novels have been penned, challenging the society to rediscover
the importance of the “Father” in the world, community, but especially his
fundamental role in the family.
Michael Obrien, the author of FATHER ELIJAH,   and other literary masterpieces recently
wrote the FATHER’S TALE.      One of the primary themes is the greatness
and nobility of man and father living out his vocation. Then, Brian Gail, has written a trilogy: FATHERLESS, MOTHERLESS, AND CHILDLESS.    In FATHERLESS, the first in the line of the
trilogy, Gail, clearly depicts the crucial role of the “Father” in society and
the negative consequences due to his absence.
Gail presents a weak father, who loses his daughter who commits
suicide. Equally important Brian Gail,
depicts a priest, “Father Sweeney”, who
is a good man, a man who wants to please people more than God, who wants to
cater to the multitude to bolster his own low self-esteem. This results in him losing some of his best
parishioners who travel far and wide to find a parish and a priest who will
give them true authentic doctrine, devotion and spiritual nourishment.

It is only in meeting a true set of
“Fathers” real, authentic, self-giving and generous, manly and at the same time
gentle “Fathers” that Father Sweeney undergoes his first conversion, motivating
him to preach on the “hard sayings” of John chapter six!

Who were the two men that Father
Sweeney met in Brian Gail’s fictional masterpiece? While perusing books in the Ancora
bookstore, he bumps into an older, white-haired man, many years his senior who
suggests that he read a certain book. As
Sweeney lifts his gaze he peers into the eyes of a true “Father”, whose
name was, “Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger”.
Thunderstruck and fumbling for words, Sweeney invites Ratzinger for
breakfast and the prelate accepts the invitation on one condition that Father
Sweeney pay for the breakfast— Americans have more money! At table, Sweeney meets a real “Father”
gentle and kind, but imbued with firmness and the fullness of truth. At the end
of the meal, Cardinal Ratzinger invites Sweeney to Mass, the following morning at
St. Peter’s in the Vatican.

At the crack of dawn, Father Sweeney
is waiting outside the Basilica of St. Peter’s. The door is opened and he is
ushered into a private chapel in which his eye alights upon a man dressed in
white, totally absorbed in prayer. This
man, this priest, the Man of God, this TRUE FATHER is none other than THE HOLY FATHER, POPE JOHN PAUL II! Father Sweeney vests up to concelebrate with His
Holiness, and “FATHER”, Pope John Paul
II. What happened was a breathtaking,
indescribable and ineffable experience, never in his life to be forgotten!

After the concelebrated Mass, Sweeney
is invited to breakfast with Pope John Paul II. For the second time in two days
Father Sweeney meets in flesh and blood a true and authentic man, Christian,
Catholic, Shepherd of souls, and especially FATHER. His identity crisis can now be resolved
because he has seen, prayed with, experienced and even eaten with two true
FATHERS: CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER and
HIS HOLINESS, “THE HOLY FATHER”, Pope John Paul II! Trusting in the assistance of God the
Father, filled with the consolation of meeting two true “Fathers”, Father Sweeney now can live to the fullest
his “Fatherhood” as priest! He can preach the “hard sayings” of John 6! The evil of contraception, abortion as
murder, the lethal influence of pornography and the challenge of young to live
out chastity— now he, as a converted “Spiritual Father” can preach these “hard sayings”. (Jn 6:60)

In a world where biological fathers fail to assume their responsibility towards their spouses, children and family
as a whole, now more than ever we must pray for fathers.

A boy lost his mother at nine and would spend a good part of the time of his next ten years with his father. They
would eat together, pray together, recreate together, and even share the same
room at night. Occasionally the small boy would wake in the early hours of the night and peer out of the covers to
see his father on his knees, praying fervently to “His Heavenly Father”. The little boy never forgot this example of
the prayer of his father. Tragedy hit! This boy lost not only his mother
and older brother, but now his father died, when he was but 20 years of age.

However, the seeds were planted due
to the good example of his father. Children— especially the sons—never forget
the good example left to them by their “Fathers”. The indelible impression was deeply engraved
and would bear abundant fruit in time and for all eternity!

In October of 1978, that little boy
who lost his mother, older brother and then his father, opened up the windows to the Vatican after the Latin “Habemos Papa” was
proclaimed and was proclaimed to the
world as the new “papa”, the new “pope”, the new HOLY FATHER! His name was POPE JOHN PAUL II!

Indeed this HOLY FATHER for close to
28 years manifested to the world at large what it truly means to be a
FATHER! Compassion, love tenderness,
kindness, firmness and wisdom and mercy— all are the qualities of a true
father!

Eternal Father, send us true FATHERS for the family, for the society, for
the parishes, for the church, and for the world at large! Mary, Daughter of the Father, Mother of the
Son and Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us!

Jun 26 2012

LIFE AS A GIFT FROM GOD—THE AUTHOR OF LIFE!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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)

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!”

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)

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!

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!