Hello- It is a baby!
Sponsored
Catholic365 is sponsored by
Road to Purity
Psalm 10: 8-9 “They sit in ambush in the villages; in hiding-places they murder the innocent. Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; they lurk in secret like a lion in its cover; they lurk that they may seize the poor; they seize the poor and drag them off in their net.”
Whenever I read and reflect on these verses, it reminds me of the abortion industry with its convincing lies and hidden agenda. They deceive women into believing that it is just a “mass of tissue” and not a breathing human soul inside her womb. Planned Parenthood has a website that is so luring and inviting to women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy but they never mention that it is a baby. Hello- It is a baby! They talk about terminating the pregnancy. But what does that really and truthful mean-terminating the pregnancy? The truth-it is the killing of a baby in the womb.
They make having an abortion sound so simple, so safe, and an easy fix to and unplanned pregnancy. But it is not free. The medical cost range from $300-$950 in the first trimester. It is a money making industry that disguises it self as an angel of light. But is it really an easy fix for the mother, father and grandparents?
The women and men who are post-abortive have testified that their abortion experience negatively and profoundly effected every area of their lives. There are so many wounded by their abortion experience that not only includes the mother and father but also siblings and grandparents and friends. Its effect is far reaching spreading more and more darkness in the world.
The hope is many have found healing through Rachel's Vineyard and other ministries. They have come to know of the love of a forgiving and merciful Father. The other hope is that there are Catholic Social Service organizations, pregnancy resource centers and other pro-life outreaches springing up all across the nation as beacons of hope for those facing unplanned pregnancies. They offer counseling and support and help women to choose life for their babies walking with them during and after the pregnancy. They assist them to either decide to parent their child or place them for adoption.
God has called each of us is to share the truth with others in love by exposing the lies of the abortion industry and by providing other life-giving alternatives for those who are facing unplanned pregnancies. We are each called to pray, inform, educate and to offer hope to those who are wounded. The profound words in the book Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic addresses the commission Jesus has placed on our hearts as believers:
“At the moment of the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary was uniquely commissioned to bring Jesus into the world. ... And yet, in a certain sense, God extends the call He issued to Mary to each of us. God the Father is asking each of us: “Will you bring my Son into the world? Will you carry Him in the womb of your heart as Mary carried Him in the womb of her body? Will you birth Him into the lives of others, that all might come to experience the grace of redemption and eternal life?”
Let us pray: Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion. Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son. I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself never to be silent, never to be passive, never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement and never to stop defending life until all my brothers and sisters are protected, and our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice not just for some, but for all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen! (Priest for Life-reprinted with permission)
Connie Beckman resides in Helena Montana with her husband and their dog Chewie and their two cats Heidi and Bailey. A number of years ago, she was the editor and feature story writer for a small bi-weekly newspaper. Connie has been published in a number of Catholic magazines. Margaret Ann Stimatz, Ruth Lloyd, and Connie co-authored a 40-day-reflection booklet entitled: Mercy for Little Souls which contains tidbits about the late Father Stu Long's powerful ministry with quotes from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy In My Soul. Mercy for Little Souls is available at Beyond.227.org. Her desire as a writer is to encourage Catholic spiritual growth by sharing the truths of the faith through the written word addressing a variety of subjects. "Go out to all the world and tell the good news." Mark 16:15.
