We need to be Persistent, Insistent, Consistent Persons In Christ
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PIC - three letters that have been motivating, pressing and upholding our commitment to the Pro-life Mission.
Unless we are persistent in reaching out to the girls and women with positive and effective responses to their situation of unexpected pregnancy, they will be another number in the increasing rate of abortions in our country – often suffering the consequences of their poor choice just because they had no one to turn to in their time of distress.
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Unless we are insistent in stopping the culture of death that has created so much confusion, devastation and depression, media will continue to influence our youth to consumerism, moral relativism, secular humanism and hedonism. Some sectors in congress, government agencies, and well-funded organizations will further impress on the people that whatever is legal, even if immoral, is the way of life, claiming that population control and aggressive promotion of contraception, sterilization and abortifacients is the answer to poverty alleviation and ignorance.
And unless we are consistent is projecting the image that we, as a Church, must be unambiguously pro-life in our words and actions, we will be unable to evangelize our culture, bringing the Gospel of Life, Love, Family, Sexuality and Fertility to bear upon the mores, practices, customs and laws of our society.
Here I will quote freely Fr Daniel Mahan from his book on stewardship “More than Silver or Gold”: We are called as followers of Jesus to use our God-given talents and abilities to make a difference in the world – to build a culture of life. We do not have to apologize for our public stand on life issues, and no Catholic should feel intimidated by the rhetoric and tactics of those in the other side. We must continue to speak out for the truth and for those who have no voice with which to influence the political process, at the risk of ridicule and the diminishment of our status in society.
Above all, to be Persons In Christ is our primary calling at Baptism. And the rest of the Sacraments are available for each of us to be able to live up to the name of Christian. Jesus challenges us to keep our priorities always in proper order, to seek first the Kingdom of God, to keep our eyes fixed always on the good things of heaven. The two great commandments direct us to do just that – loving God above all things, and respecting the entire created order as good stewards of the land, water, the air and all living creature – especially honoring and loving the human person, the apex of God’s creative powers, made in His Image and Likeness.
To respect human life then is to protect and defend the life of the unborn child from the moment of conception. It is to extend pastoral care and God’s mercy and forgiveness to those who have participated in the sin of abortion, assuring them that there is no sin so grievous that the Lord cannot or will not forgive. It is to cherish the life of a person with disability, recognizing that within each person one can discern the genius and love of the Creator. It is to provide palliative and spiritual care to the person who is dying, patiently honoring that person’s dignity through the hour of death, whenever it might come. And it is also defending not only the innocent human life, but also that of the guilty. Who remains to be a child of God and worthy of His love and forgiveness.
As Catholics, we are called not to keep to ourselves, and not to be content with our “private morality”. Rather, we are called to be faithful to the command of Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. Let us go then in our persistence, insisting and being consistent Persons in Christ!
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