The Ultimate Test

23 Jan

“America you are beautiful … and blessed … The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life.”  ~ Pope John Paul II

This is a post that is going to be hard to read for many people; however, it must be said.  On January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court, in a decision known as Roe V Wade, made legal the act of abortion.  Many celebrated a “victory” for women and their right to choose.  However, we need to take a firm, hard look at that.

Abortion is the taking of a life.  Even in the law, there is a wretched double-standard regarding this.  If a woman goes into an abortion clinic to terminate a pregnancy, that is well within her right, according to the law, and no mention is made of the baby whose life has been ended.  However, if that woman were on her way in to have an abortion and was involved in a drive-by shooting, the perpetrator would be arrested for murder and infanticide, being charged with taking the life of the woman and of the baby.

How can the baby’s life be legal and protectable under the law in one case and absolutely neglected and ignored in another case?  It makes no sense.

I know that there are deeper intellectual arguments that can be made; but, I like to simplify things whenever possible.  I think, in many ways, it is a matter of “out of sight, out of mind.”

People do not see the baby developing in the womb so it is easier to ignore and to terminate.  Once the baby is delivered, we see it for what it is and we protect and cherish it for all that it is worth.  What we need to do is protect and cherish life from the very moment of conception.

I know that many people will say that I have no right to say this, that I am a man and I have no right to tell a woman what she can do with her own body.  However, the woman is not doing something to her own body.  She is doing something to the body of another unique individual formed and created by God.  That is the shame of it all and the great moral crime.

If one life is not sacred, no life can be considered sacred.  If one life is not protected, there is no reason to expect protection for any life.  We are all made in the image and likeness of God.  We cannot change that truth and should do all that we can to cherish and protect all life.

FAITH ACTIONPray for lives that are in jeopardy because of abortion or violence of any kind.