January 25th Fast

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JMJ

"Like the Psalmist, we too, in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother's womb, and saw and loved us while we were still without form (cf. Ps 139:13, 15-16). We exclaim with overwhelming joy: "I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. You know me through and through" (Ps 139:14). Indeed, "despite its hardships, its hidden mysteries, its suffering and its inevitable frailty, this mortal life is a most beautiful thing, a marvel ever new and moving, an event worthy of being exalted in joy and glory". Moreover, man and his life appear to us not only as one of the greatest marvels of creation: for God has granted to man a dignity which is near to divine (Ps 8:5-6). In every child which is born and in every person who lives or dies we see the image of God's glory. We celebrate this glory in every human being, a sign of the living God, an icon of Jesus Christ."   

(Evangelium Vitae, No. 84, 1994, Blessed Pope John Paul II)

It is a sad discovery when we realize that the fight for preserving life is not about when it begins or ends.  The anti-life crowd acknowledges that it is indeed a life that is being smothered out in abortion, yet they are unmoved because they choose to live in a world where life is not worth living.  Of course,  some may falsely think that they believe their own lives are worth living but it could not truly be the case if they did not think any and all mortal life was worth living.  Deep down in their hearts, people who treat other human beings without their due reverence and dignity will not recognize the dignity God has given them in their own created beings.

How can we touch a culture, how can we touch others who live in such an alternate reality?  We must show them, as Fulton Sheen said, that life is worth living.  Our lives must be full of joy!  Even in the midst of sorrow we can recall that our souls are immortal, and are yearning for the happiness that will be found in our heavenly home.  People who do not believe that each life has a purpose, also do not believe that each life is meant for eternal beatitude.  What a sad and miserable state so many wallow in because they have deprived themselves of this vision, of this reality of hope!  We must be a people of hope, ever pointing our hearts to the consolation that awaits us.  The joyful and loving witness of this hope will do much to lift up others, and our culture.  We should not forget that Christendom was not built upon the foundation of laws but upon the witness and great love of the martyrs and early Christians.

"As part of the spiritual worship acceptable to God (cf. Rom 12:1), the Gospel of life is to be celebrated above all in daily living, which should be filled with self-giving love for others. In this way, our lives will become a genuine and responsible acceptance of the gift of life and a heartfelt song of praise and gratitude to God who has given us this gift. This is already happening in the many different acts of selfless generosity, often humble and hidden, carried out by men and women, children and adults, the young and the old, the healthy and the sick." (Evangelium Vitae, No. 86)

Let us embrace life and praise God each day for the gifts He has given us in it!