A New Year’s commitment to life

Jan. 22 marks the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision known as Roe vs. Wade. That decision marked the advent of legalized abortion in the United States.

Last month we celebrated a very different type of advent, the time of advent in which we await not only the anniversary of the birth of Christ, but also His second coming at the end of days.

The birth of Christ fills us with the hope of salvation and resurrection as revealed by Jesus’ life, Passion, Death and Resurrection. The Second Coming for which we await will be a time of both tribulation and joy–tribulation for those who have turned away from God and joy for all who have followed Him. Shortly after the retelling of Christ’s birth in Matthew we learn of the slaughter of the innocents by Herod’s decree. None of this should be lost on us today as we reflect on the approaching anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.

Every impending birth offers a promise of life, life for the baby, life in a new way for the mother and father, life within the context of family. In opposition to life, every abortion brings only death and tragedy to all involved, death for the baby, endless suffering and guilt for the mother and father, tragedy to society in that the basic unit of its existence is denied life.

In Luke’s gospel Jesus tells us that not a single sparrow escapes the notice of God. He says, “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” In other words, God is aware of every single life; and not only is He aware of it He treasures it. For this reason His Son warns us not to mislead or otherwise prevent His children from going to him. At the Second Coming there will be a reckoning of good and evil. It is not for us to judge what will befall anyone among us, but we can rest assured that God will be just in His judgment according to how we have lived our life.

As we begin this year, let us ponder these things. Let us dwell upon the magnificent gift of life that God desires for His creation, especially every human person. As a diocese, we seek to increase awareness of the unique beauty and value of every human life from conception to natural death. In service to the people of God in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Life on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral.

One week later, on Saturday, Jan. 26, the Office of Life, Justice, and Human Dignity is sponsoring 10 busloads of youth, young adults, adults and families to attend the statewide Texas Rally for Life in Austin. The Rally begins with a ProLife Mass and is followed by an approximate two-mile march to the south steps of the state capitol. Those in attendance will hear bishops and state political leaders address the issues involving prolife efforts.

As the Christmas season draws to a close and we enter the liturgies of ordinary time, let us reflect upon the deeper meanings of Advent, Christmas and that time we refer to as “ordinary,” which is anything other than ordinary, when we consider the everyday gift of life. God invites us to participate in His own divine life and he allows the times and events through which we live to prepare us for the glory of His eternal kingdom.

As we begin this New Year, let us enter more fully into these mysteries and embrace more fully the gift of life. Join with your diocese family in attending both the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Life and the Texas Rally for Life.