Gospel of John, chapter 10:10

We just had the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on January 22nd legalizing abortion in the United States. It is significant that the church has chosen this same day on which to celebrate life. Instead of being anti-life, we chose to be pro-life at this time.

The gospel is solidly for life in every form, whether it be the lives of babies who deserve to be born or the lives of the elderly who are entitled to live with dignity. The issue of pro-life extends to every area of our society. War, especially nuclear war, where there are no winners; only losers, is contrary to the principle of life. Poverty, which denies the basic necessities of life to people, is anti-life.

Concern for life in all its forms stems from the very roots of our faith. Life is the greatest and most beautiful of God’s gifts. It is sinful to destroy life capriciously. The preference for life over hatred, violence and killing reached its acme in the life of Jesus, who, at all times, respected the lives of the least among us.

God did not ask us whether we will accept life. That is not a choice for us to make. We must embrace life. The only choice is how. At birth we are candidates for the full life. We possess within ourselves all the possibilities of life, and we have a God able and willing to work with us to ensure that we have life abundantly. By cooperating with him, who is Life, we have life; to use; to enjoy; to share; and to pass on to others.

This is why the Lord says:
“I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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