The Point
November 2006
Prayer
The Power to End Abortion is in Your Hands.
Commitment to the Cause
A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great weeping; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. (Matt 2:18) What sad and poignant words Saint Matthew applies from the prophet Jeremiah to the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. Weeping refers to the children, lamentation to the mothers. And yet these same words can prophetically apply to the ever-present slaughter of the unborn around us today. Saint Jerome understood that Rama means “on high.” Thus, in Heaven, the killing of the unborn is heard—crying out for vengeance as it does—even though the weeping of the children cannot. And Rachel, according to Saint Hilary, signifies the Fruitful Church. Yes, the Church mourns for the unborn.
When King Herod executed his plan to slaughter innocent babies in a self-serving scheme to protect his position, we can only imagine the wave of shock that was transmitted throughout the land. All male infants under the age of two were killed in this event. Consider the grief of the parents of the Holy Innocents and the utter helplessness they must have felt: the grief of the mothers who had their infants ripped from their arms and stabbed with a sword right before them, the grief of the fathers coming home to find lifeless children and disconsolate wives. Every individual under his rule surely must have been affected emotionally by his ruthless political move, whether or not he suffered the loss of a child. Merely witnessing the brutality that Herod used to secure his power would have left all of society shaken, individually and as a whole.
Contrast the social climate in Bethlehem at that time with that of our own nation following the effects of Roe vs. Wade. For the most part the reaction was “business as usual.” Why is it that there was no shock value in this decision and its bloody consequences? Where is the indignation over the thousands of people “shredded” every day in U.S. “abortuaries”? How can a Christian civilization allow such a perversion? Our Declaration of Independence has been rendered meaningless and Democracy is flawed if the inalienable right to life continues to be trampled upon.
The Pitfalls
As a nation we have become insensitive to our own ills. Our society needs is to be injected with sensitivity once again. That attribute has been lost through the gradual erosion of what was once known perhaps as common sense, but on a higher level—conscience— the ability to recognize right from wrong. All too often we are quick to see the evils in other parts of the world yet are blinded by our own. And yet at the same time, as individuals, those who are not directly involved in the abortion industry, either as consumers or providers, most often turn away from a problem that is not their own. It’s precisely this apathy that allows the evil to perpetuate.
Another snare is in the vocabulary used. When bad things are given labels that make them sound less objectionable, and even attractive, the potential threat diminishes. We’ve seen this with abortion, gently known as “choice.” Choice sounds like a good thing, what’s the problem with allowing a choice? Just about everything in life involves some choice. But remember, in order to make proper choices God gave us an intellect to reason and make good judgments so that our free will, which is basic to human nature, will act in a responsible manner. We possess the God-given freedom to exercise our wills in any way we choose, but as free will is basic to human nature, conforming our wills to that of God’s will is basic to our spiritual nature. Equipped with free will and reason, we can know the will of God and conform our own wills with His, resulting in making not just any choice but the right choice.
Our society is also fooled by the dazzle of the self-indulgent attitude, or to be overcome with the inclination to accept a wrong in the interest of “compassion,” or “tolerance.” We must learn to think as individuals with a conscience who must one day render an account to God. Question not the legalities, but the moral implications of the issue; the slaughter of the infants by Herod was legal. One by one, as individuals we can form the conscience of our nation if we see things as they really are, not as they are falsely presented.
What can be done?
Never were the numbers in the ProLife camp so low. And yet large numbers mean nothing if the language and the attitude in that camp are those of compromise. Consequently, if there ever were a time when quality is needed over quantity, it is now. Every Pro-Lifer must be worthy of the name and committed unqualifiedly to the cause—not in an emotional or sentimental way, for the struggle is not a matter of feeling but of steadfast dedication and a willingness to stand up and speak out for what is right. It takes a certain kind of mental toughness when called upon to be the voice of the unborn, to speak the truth and maintain the morality which the Catholic Church teaches. You may not feel like doing it; it may be embarrassing, you may be tempted to think that no one will listen, that you are not qualified and yet the Pro-Lifer must do it. All too often, evil prevails when good men do nothing. And there can be no compromise on the so-called “hard cases.” God is the author of life and death and no individual can claim that prerogative.
Blessed Margaret of Costello perfectly exemplifies that God has special reasons for creating each one of us. She was the epitome of the “unwanted child” and yet she did more good, spread more love, and contributed more beauty to the world than a multitude of gifted children. Born blind, ugly, and physically deformed she loved God for creating her and found her consolation in being close to Him. She performed many miracles in her lifetime and died at the age of 33.
An inspiring and supportive patron is Saint John the Baptist. He was the “voice crying in the wilderness” calling all Jerusalem to repentance. Like him, our voices for the unborn must be heard in the wasteland of a decadent world. This one unselfish and dedicated man pointed the way to Christ for many.
To accomplish anything in the cause for life, it is also imperative for the Pro-Lifer to know that throughout life mankind is engaged in a spiritual battle, unseen in many respects yet a very real battle against Hell and the powers of darkness. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
It was the Devil who inspired King Herod to search out Christ in order to kill him. Moreover, Saint Leo says that Herod represents the Devil who never ceases to wage war against Christ and attempts to kill His likeness in every man. Satan is the natural predator of mankind, who, as Saint Peter warns us, “goes about as a roaring lion, seeking him whom he may devour.” We must resist him, he says, “strong in the Faith.” To be strong not only must we know the enemy but we must also know our Catholic Faith in order to find strength in It. Therefore it is imperative for the Pro-Lifer to help pass the life of Faith on to the next generation.
Regarding the prophecy quoted at the beginning, “Rachel” signifies the fruitful Church. In this, therefore, we understand the Catholic Church who will spiritually bear children until the end of time. She is the one Church that unequivocally opposes abortion under every circumstance. As a true mother she would never contemplate aborting her children but bewails their death, slain as they are before having the opportunity of being incorporated into Christ. For Christ’s words are certain, Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven. (John 3:15)
Pro-Life means more than Anti-abortion.
The Catholic Church also teaches that if we are going to combat the culture of death in the modern world then those in the married state must be truly Pro-Life. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the encyclical, “Humanae Vitae.” Upon its release, this document immediately became controversial and was widely rejected even by members of the clergy due to the selfishness of an age that wants love without fruit, pleasure without responsibility, its own will rather than Divine Providence.
God has granted a great privilege to man and woman in the bonds of marriage and that is the ability to pro-create—to work together with Him in order to bring forth new life made in His image and likeness, to preserve His creation, to fill up the professions, provide workers for the trades, to be other holy families and to ultimately fill up the empty places in Heaven left vacant by the fallen Angels.
God creates the soul, as husband and wife generate the body of a new human being. Accordingly, the Church teaches that married couples must shake off the contraceptive mentality and be open to all life that God gives regardless of handicap, good health or bad, planned or unplanned. Each person in God’s creation has a place in His plan. When these places are left unfilled due to man’s failure to cooperate or refusal, then the world becomes so much the worse. Look how the world was so adversely affected by the one sin of Adam. Among other ill effects, death was ushered in. “By the sin of one man, death came into the world.” Sin begets death and more sin. Abortion brings sterility, a non productive society—not only in man power but even in material production which we are currently witnessing. Abortion will ultimately bring the death of our nation.
But it need not be. Decadent Rome was transformed into the Eternal City, the Hub of the One True Church—to which all roads lead—by the courage and sacrifice of virgins, martyrs, popes, holy women, and confessors. Countless individuals took their God-given role to heart and strove to fulfill it by the help of His grace. They suffered, they sacrificed, they prayed, they kept the Faith. It is important to remember the importance and power of prayer, especially the Rosary, in the current battle for life. There can be no doubt that the Rosary said at local abortion mills has saved more lives, made more conversions, and given more strength and determination to the militancy of Pro-Lifers than any other action taken. Victory will only come in this spiritual warfare if God is on our side and we on His.
To get printed copies of this flyer for distribution, Contact US!