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Dear Deacon John,
Last week, I started
off with campaign rallies in California on Sunday ... and then spoke at
events in Texas and Pittsburgh before heading back to California for
another kickoff event and a march this past Saturday. Here’s a quick
look at my second California visit of the week.
San Luis Obispo, California
Why two trips to
California? Well, it’s not only a big state ... it’s a big state for 40
Days for Life as well. There are 38 California campaigns going on right
now – more than any other US state.
I visited the 40 Days
for Life vigil site in San Luis Obispo ... and took part in a march to
Planned Parenthood led by Bishop Richard Garcia of the Catholic diocese
of Monterey.
Bishop Garcia led the people in prayer and asked God’s blessing over those who gathered – and over Planned Parenthood as well.
Flint, Michigan
In many of the
communities where 40 Days for Life vigils are held, people aren’t aware
that there’s an abortion facility in their neighborhood. That’s the case
in Flint.
“The clinic is only
labeled with an address,” said Tina. “That's why many do not know about
it. Our peaceful witness during the vigil is helping change that.”
People who’ve driven by and seen volunteers praying have now signed up
to be part of 40 Days for Life.
The abortion center is
so well hidden that even a local pastor who lives right down the road
had no idea it was there until he was invited to lead prayer at the
vigil.
“We are required to
stand across a parking lot and cannot get any closer to the clinic,”
Tina said. But in the past year, they have still had five mothers that
they know of choose life at this clinic – including one with twins.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life...
Day 8 intention
May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he
fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat
him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going
down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other
side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed
by on the other side."
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he
saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him
to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver
coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and
when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may
have.'"
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell
into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who
had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
-- Luke 10:30-37
Reflection by Fr. Frank Pavone
Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.
But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they
feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to
attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what
will happen to me?"
The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen
to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we
don't.
Prayer
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed
compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.
Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day08print.pdf
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road #102229 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408 United States (888) LIFE-316
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