While the fight to uphold and defend life continues for many daily, the 38th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade on January 22 brought the state of regard for life in America again to the forefront. It is estimated that more than 52 million unborn children in the U.S. have died via abortion since it was made legal by the 1973 Supreme Court decision.
There are varying types of assault on life now, but none other has the mortality rate of 4,000 people daily. And make no mistake, someone is making a profit from it.
Between a quarter to a half-million people made the pilgrimage to Washington D.C. again this year to participate in the annual March for Life. The march began as a response to Roe vs. Wade in 1974, the year after abortion was legalized. The number of participants increases yearly, and includes a remarkable showing of young people. The marchers for life are a faithful tide of humanity giving witness to the sanctity of God’s gift. The witness is mostly disregarded, even ridiculed in the secular media, or downplayed if it is given mention. Sadly even some Catholic media outlets show disregard.
How did we get to where those who support, promote and profit from the killing of unborn children have a sympathetic portrayal in the culture, whereas those who uphold God’s law on life are more often than not pilloried and demonized?
It’s something about which I continue to pray.
It’s quite easy to become overwhelmed and lose hope with so much and so many in apparent opposition to the defense of life. If I am correct it was one of Blessed Mother Teresa’s many wonderful quotes that said something to the affect that God doesn’t necessarily expect us to succeed — He only expects that we try. Another Theresa, St. Theresa of Lisieux, and her little way, offers further inspiration for those of us who would like to see big change, or even ourselves be one to affect that change in the fight for life.
What can one do to make a difference? How do you feel as though you are doing something to fulfill God’s call?
There are a few things.
- Take back the language; “pro-choice” isn’t an honest term. Don’t use it. Does anyone who’s had a life growing in their womb, or loved someone who has, really believe a woman authentically chooses abortion? Does anyone with common sense pretend the unborn child has genuine choice when an abortion is committed?
- Find out where your elected officials, civic and religious leaders are on life. Hold them accountable. They work for you. You shouldn’t let them forget it.
- When you’re asked to donate to a cause or are reviewing your options for charitable giving, be certain of where the money is going. It’s very surprising and disconcerting when you scratch the surface of many organizations. You must ask and get answers in each and every case as to whether the recipient is upholding your Catholic values.
- Don’t patronize businesses that support Planned Parenthood or other anti-life causes and organizations. My father once told me I’d go crazy making my buying and business decisions this way. Point taken. But whenever possible I think it’s the least we can do. Vote with your feet and your dollars, and tell them why you’re taking your business elsewhere.
- Consider praying in front of Planned Parenthood or the nearest abortion facility if you haven’t already. It takes a big dose of courage, and it has the power to change your life along with those for whom you pray.
- Become and stay informed. One upcoming option for those in Iowa is the Prayer for Life Day (PDF) on February 8. The keynote for the morning session at the Diocese of Des Moines Pastoral Center and speaker at the State Capitol will be former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson, offering her insights from inside the abortion industry. Johnson was converted to being prolife after witnessing via ultrasound an abortion committed in her Planned Parenthood location, and she recently prevailed when a lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood to quiet her was dismissed. The Prayer for Life, a collective effort including prolife organizations Iowans for L.I.F.E., the Iowa Right to Life Committee and the Knights of Columbus, will be one of her first appearances since being free to speak about her experiences. RSVP for the event at 515.244.1012 or [email protected]
Finally, I invite you to join in the mission of Illumination Media. You have a lot of options to which you can donate your time, your money and your prayer intentions, and I’d like Illumination Media to be among your considerations.
Born of the desire to help anyone in danger of abortion, whether the child, the child’s mother or father, Illumination Media supports pregnancy assistance centers, adoption providers, family centers, group homes, counseling services and others in upholding life. Since its inception, Illumination media’s team of writers, graphic designers, radio and television producers, speakers and marketing professionals have served as the marketing arm for non-profit prolife resources in Central Iowa.
Visit www.illuminationmedia.org and find Illumination Media on Facebook.
As Illumination Media continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to adding to our mission a new project whereby we are reaching out even more directly to pregnant mothers and families in need, as well as those who have suffered the devastation of abortion, and to providing education to help turn the tide of the culture back to a regard for the sanctity of life.
It is exciting!
This new endeavor is in the fledgling stages, it has proven effectiveness and support behind it, but most importantly, it has the power to save lives. We are thrilled at its undertaking and invite everyone with a faithful heart for life to take part. You can get more information by calling Jenny Condon at 515-779-9347.