This year, like every year, Thanksgiving in the United States finds itself in the middle of our preparation for the nativity of Christ. And before we celebrate Christ’s birth, we will be celebrating the conception of St Anne, that is, the Immaculate Conception, when Mary was miraculously conceived in grace. Both feasts should remind us of the value we see in all human life. All life, from the time of conception to the time of death, is to be cherished. Nothing anyone can do can remove that fact. Perhaps this year we should set time aside, not only to thank God for our own life, and for the great gifts he has given us, but also for all who he has blessed with life. Thank him for the great gift of life itself, and pray that we, as a nation, can be converted from a culture of death to a culture of life.
A culture of life promotes respect for all life. It doesn’t set aside some people as insignificant. It doesn’t use the logic of quantification to determine the value of life. It rather sets the dignity of human life as the cornerstone of justice. All life is of infinite value. A heart on fire for life sees the value of all, young and old, rich and poor, sinner and saint. A heart on fire for life sees that all people are in need of, and should get, our love. We have been made in the image and likeness of God. To desire the death of anyone, to desire the elimination of anyone from the world, is satanic, for it is an assault on the creator, both by a rejection of his image, but also because it seeks to destroy a good which God wants to exist.
Would you consider taking the time out this week to pray to the Lord, perhaps in front of the blessed sacrament, to thank him for all the people he has brought into existence? Would you be willing to take the time this week to fast for the sake of life? Now is the time to pray for the conversion of all hearts, starting with our own!
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In