Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

 Lectionary: 516A

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.

The editors of the USCCB website offer readings from Isaiah, Ephesians, and Saint Luke on this fiftieth anniversary of Roe v Wade. In the past year we have seen the Supreme Court reverse that decision of 1973. Unfortunately, there is no tribunal on earth to reverse the damage. Nor have pro-abortion forces surrendered the field. "Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization" only undid a decision that was wrong for being badly made; they did not address the evil of abortion, nor did they promise to undo the aberrations that flowed from that misbegotten case.  

In his letter to the Ephesians Saint Paul praises the God who raised up Jesus and gave us both life and hope through that Wonderful Work. When Jesus died no rational person could expect the killing to be reversed. Although there were stories in the Old Testament of reviving the dead (Ezekiel's Valley of Bones), and Jesus had revived Lazarus four days after his burial, no one could expect the incomparable victory of Easter. Jesus was not simply revived on the third day, he was revealed as the Eternal God, the Alpha and Omega of existence. 

We bring that hope to the discussion about abortion. It is a hope without expectation of what must happen. Like racism, antisemitism, gun culture, and Intimate Partner Abuse, abortion runs deep in the American way of life. Many argue that opposing abortion is merely a religious preference like worshiping on Sunday or reciting the rosary, and should not be imposed on nonbelievers. They do not see its violence against human dignity. Although no little girl looks forward to her first abortion, they promise her the privilege. 

Roe v Wade represented a further step in the alienation of Catholics in a world we call home. If we hoped at one time -- as the pre-Vatican II Church did -- that someday the United States would become a Catholic nation, we now see it can never happen. Even as Catholics worship in the sanctuary of their churches, the nation idolizes military, financial, and athletic power. It moves inexorably toward Aldous Huxley's Brave New World where babies are manufactured in the bodies of semi-human women. With pornography, chemicals, and surgery it desexes young people. 

Our effort to undo Roe v Wade begins with public and private worship of God. We must be, and appear to be, God's holy people. If Catholicism opposes abortion, we must be overtly and intentionally Catholic. Our courtesy, generosity, and serenity should arouse both wonder and curiosity. They will ask, "Why don't you abort your babies?" and "Why are you faithful to your spouse? What makes you hopeful when there's clearly no reason to hope? Don't you see what is happening all around you?"

We have a ready reply: 

Thus says the LORD of hosts: There will yet come peoples and inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city will approach those of another, and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts. I too am going.” 

Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD. 

Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten people from nations of every language will take hold, yes, will take hold of the cloak of every Judahite and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah 8: 20