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BISHOP THOMAS J. OLMSTED
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Why we won’t be silent
“But they remained silent” (Mark 3:4). The silence of the Pharisees, in a confrontation with Jesus, early on in His ministry, speaks volumes about their lack of integrity. Jesus asked them a basic question about human life: “Is it lawful… to save life rather than to destroy it?” Out of fear of taking a stand, or perhaps out of pride or just plain callousness, these religious leaders remained silent when confronted with a question linked with the right to life and the dignity of each human person. Moreover, embarrassed at having been put on the spot, they decided to seek revenge. St. Mark tells us (3:6), “The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Him to put Him to death.” Those who don’t oppose a culture of death may find themselves resorting to death as a solution.
‘We will stand up!’
As we mark the 37th anniversary of the infamous U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade on Jan. 22, the Lord is asking us not to be silent on the dignity of human life but to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Life in our day. It is a good time to recall the words spoken by Pope John Paul II in our nation’s capital in AD 1979. He said:
“…we will stand up every time that human life is threatened. When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, we will stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life. When a child is described as a burden or is looked upon as a means to satisfy an emotional need, we will stand up and insist that every child is a unique and unrepeatable gift of God, with the right to a loving and united family. When the institution of marriage is abandoned to human selfishness or reduced to a temporary, conditional arrangement that can easily be terminated, we will stand up…”
Popular society pressures us to remain silent about the rights of unborn children, the institution of marriage, the dignity of the elderly, the immigrant, the poor and other persons. But, of course, followers of Christ cannot and we will not. With a joyful heart and with lively faith, we will live and serve and celebrate the Gospel of Life. And we will recall with a smile the words of G.K. Chesterton, “I believe in getting into hot water. It keeps you clean!”
Each can do something
As we all know, it is not hard to get into hot water over the right to life. But to do so for the Lord and His Gospel is indeed a privilege and a blessing. Here are a few things that I urge us to do in AD 2010:
Prayer and fasting: In addition to personal and family prayer, join me for the Pro-Life Youth Rally and Adoration at ASU on Friday, Jan. 22, or for the Pro-Life Mass on Sunday, Jan. 24, at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix. Join the Children of the Rosary who pray in front of abortuaries (today’s places of Calvary) throughout the year. Take part in the next “40 Days for Life” campaign that is being planned during Lent in Phoenix, Tempe and other diocesan locations.
Choose Life License Plates: Join me in placing a license plate on your car that gives witness to your pro-life commitment. Visit the Web at www.arizonalifecoalition.org and read how to sign up for a Choose Life license plate. I was happy to be one of the first in Arizona to do this.
Contact elected representatives: In Arizona and at the national level, key legislative measures are being discussed which could have devastating effects on the most vulnerable persons among us. In the past year, Arizona became a beacon of hope for pro-life activities with several positive pieces of legislation being passed and signed into law. A new session just began on Jan. 11 that will consider significant pro-life legislation. At the national level, healthcare legislation could have devastating consequences for the unborn, the elderly and rights of conscience. To stay up to date on both state and national matters, sign up to receive regular e-mails from the Arizona Catholic Conference by going to www.azcatholicconference.org.
Offer support to women with difficult pregnancies: We are blest to have some tremendous organizations in Arizona that assist mothers to bring their children to birth and offer them a loving home, such as Maggie’s Place, and our Catholic crisis pregnancy clinics: First Way, Aid to Women Center and Life Choices. They deserve and need our encouragement and help.
Point a family member, friend or acquaintance who has suffered through past participation in or encouragement of an abortion to one of our local English or Spanish Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, which can be powerful experiences of God’s mercy. Dates and contact information are found at www.rachelsvineyard.org.
‘Love never fails’ (1 Cor 13:8)
It seemed to the Apostles on Good Friday that love had failed, that violence had cruelly ended the hopes they had placed in Jesus. But in only three days, their tears were turned into joy as Christ rose from the dead. Truth and love had been victorious.
It seemed to some of the early followers of Christ that faith, hope and love were too weak to transform the Roman Empire, which teemed with injustices against children, women and foreigners. But that Empire like other earthly governments came to an end; and the Gospel of Life shaped the civilization of Europe for centuries to come. The same will happen in America one day. Roe v. Wade will be reversed, unborn children will be protected, the Gospel of Life will not fail. Let us be full of hope. Let us not be silent.
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