Dear Parishioners,
Today marks the 39th Anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision Roe vs. Wade, which permitted legalized abortion in our country. Since then, over 54 million abortions have taken place in the U.S. We can wonder what we have to show after working so long to try to turn our nation around. Recall St. Paul’s words from Second Corinthians. He says,
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body (2 Cor 4:8-10).
Social change takes time. So, we shouldn’t become discouraged. Here are some things we can do to help our cause:
1. Pray. The Rosary. The Stations of the Cross. Eucharistic Adoration. Offer your prayer for the unborn.
2. Do Penance. Give up a snack, an hour of television, or buying something for yourself. Offer it up for the unborn.
3. Reverence all human life, not just the unborn, but also the homeless, immigrants, prisoners, the handicapped, the sick, and the elderly. A rising tide lifts all boats.
4. Witness. To quote St. Peter, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pt 3:15b-16a).
5. Support pro-life organizations like Texas Right to Life, Foundation for Life, and Houston Coalition for Life, which are helping to change laws and save babies’ lives.
If we take sensible measures such as these, we will be winning people’s hearts, saving babies’ lives, and bringing abortion to an end in our country.
Fr. Ian
