America the Beautiful

Yes, America, you are beautiful indeed, and blessed in so many ways ... But your greatest beauty and your richest blessing is found in the human person: in each man, woman and child, in every immigrant, in every native-born son and daughter. For this reason, America, your deepest identity and truest character as a Nation is revealed in the position you take towards the human person.The ultimate test of your greatness is in the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones.

Blessed John Paul II spoke these words during his apostolic visit to the United States on September 19, 1987. Nearly twenty-five years later his words offer us opportunity for reflection and observation: Sadly our nation has not heeded the late Holy Father's words and has moved further away from an authentic Culture of Life. Instead, our leaders have created policies that have only accelerated our descent towards a Culture of Death in the name of sexual freedom without responsibility, that have ultimately led to loss of millions of innocent lives through abortion.

In his remarks, the late Holy Father reflected on America's place in history and referenced some of her identifying qualities:

Your genius for invention and for splendid progress; in the power that you use for service and in the wealth that you share with others; in what you give to your own, and in what you do for others beyond your borders; in how you serve, and in how you keep alive the flame of hope in many hearts; in your quest for excellence and in your desire to right all wrongs.

With these words, the Holy Father was not only reminding Americans about our great accomplishments, but he was reminding us of our responsibility as stewards of the great gifts we've received. He continued by speaking about America's desire for equality, justice, true freedom and lasting peace, adding that these can only be realized if America defends life. A lasting prosperity and just moral order are possible in America, but only to the extent that every human being is guaranteed the right to pursue happiness, liberty and justice.

How appropriate for us to reflect on the challenging and prophetic words of Blessed John Paul as our nation comes to this pivotal moment and decides its future. We have a place in history, but how we are remembered is up to us. Will we take an account of our actions and reconcile with our God and neighbor, or will we continue to follow the path that will potentially lead to our nation's demise? Will we be a nation of life or continue to be a nation of death?

- words to ponder from Human Life International