January 15, 2006
Everlasting life

Each year on the Sunday after Epiphany, we have a special mass with the families in our parish who baptized a baby within the past year. Baptism, of course, is our start toward everlasting life. Unfortunately, a week later we remember a legal decision in our nation that led to the death of more than 47 million babies before they ever were born. The January 22, 1973 Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion has left a deadly legacy that we, as followers of Jesus who is the Lord of LIFE must constantly counteract.

There is no one way to fight against the culture of death -- rather there are many ways to stand up for life. One way is to participate in the annual March for Life in Washington DC on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to witness our belief that even the smallest unborn child has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Another way to fight the culture of death is to support those organizations which support pregnant mothers who are tempted to end their pregnancies through abortion. When we reach out to counsel and support mothers whose babies lives are threatened, when our actions of love match and exceed our protests against abortion, then we do the work of Christ in giving life. In two week, we'll invite people participate in a project to support those who help those who are facing unwanted pregnancies so that they will choose life.

Sometimes there are opportunities that stand up for life in ways that challenge industries that would exploit human life. Here’s a quick example -- remember when people were upset that lab animals were being used to test cosmetic products? Laws were passed that required labels on the products to indicate whether animals were used in testing. Right now there is a movement to ask legislators to pass a law to require labeling on medical products to indicate whether these products were made from human embryos. We'll have petitions available at the end of all masses next weekend and we invite you to sign a petition which will seek legislation to require such labeling.

There are as many creative life-giving responses to the culture of death as there are caring life-affirming people. As a parish we’re offering three opportunities in the weeks ahead.. We’re certainly eager to do even more.

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