|
|
This edition of Life Issues Forum is available in English and Spanish, and has been posted to our website.
The Life Issues Forum is a bi-weekly column by Pro-Life Secretariat staff addressing the latest issues on the culture of life. Columns may be reprinted as they appear here (in full and without alteration) without further permission.
In Christ,
The Pro-Life Secretariat
|
|
|
LIFE ISSUES FORUM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pro-Life? Do This Easy Thing in 2017 December 30, 2016 By Anne McGuire
I'll never forget briefly getting to know a friend's son, who was
in seminary. Something about his gaze struck me more than anything else:
it lacked any trace of trying to obtain something from me. Instead of
focusing on achieving personal objectives, he simply befriended me for
my own sake. It wasn't a romantic situation, so as I tried to process
why I felt so deeply moved, I suddenly realized: I had experienced the
gaze of Christ.
That's what being pro-life is about. As Cardinal O'Malley,
O.F.M. Cap., former chair of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life
Activities, once noted, "we discover our worth when we discover our true
identity found in the unchangeable, permanent fact that we are created
in God's image and likeness and called to an eternal destiny with him."
Being
pro-life means taking a stand against what Pope Francis calls the
"throwaway culture," which looks out for its own gains, casting people
aside as though their lives are not worth living. It means seeing people
as Christ sees and loving them as he loves.
Being
pro-life is about cherishing and protecting each person and his or her
life at every stage and in every circumstance. That's why the U. S.
Catholic bishops are asking us to participate in 9 Days for Life--a digital pilgrimage from January 21-29.
Do
you start novenas intending to pray them all the way through, but often
forget? There's an app for that! (You can customize reminders to pray
the bishops' annual, pro-life novena.) Not into apps? You can join
the Facebook event (www.goo.gl/UMtYrL), download the novena online, or sign up for daily emails or text messages at 9daysforlife.com.
As
part of 9 Days for Life, the bishops are also asking us to share our
story with others. You can post a 5-15 second video of why you are
participating in 9 Days for Life, how you participated that day, or what
being pro-life means to you. Or, print out the customizable sign, fill
it in, and post a selfie with the sign. (Find the sign by clicking on
the "Share" button at 9daysforlife.com.) When sharing the video or picture, use the hashtag #9DaysforLife; if you're posting on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, be sure to tag @USCCB--we might share your post!
Other creative suggestions for participating can be found at www.9daysforlife.com. For example, consider having an informal Coffee and Conversation (www.goo.gl/qK7PEF)
to discuss some of the topics referenced in the novena, or host a
potluck with friends and pray one day of the novena together after the
meal.
A leaders' toolkit is available with free, quick,
and easy-to-use materials to help parishes, clergy, press, and Catholic
high schools share the merciful message of life not only from January
21-29, but also throughout the year. To access, click the "Leaders'
Toolkit" button on www.9daysforlife.com.
Sign up now at www.9DaysforLife.com to be moved by mercy, and to share with others the joyful truth that every life is worth living. Sometimes all it takes is simply stopping long enough to really see someone.
|
|
|
Anne McGuire is the Assistant Director of Education and Outreach
for the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
|
 |
