Looking forward

"How long, Father, before we see an end to this great tragedy and have respect for life?"

We can recall in Psalms 13 and 14 the plea of the psalmist and the difficulties he faced. He too wondered how long, but within his lamentation was a deep and profound trust in the power of the Almighty. We can also keep in mind the words of Saint Paul, whose words of encouragement can strengthen us when we feel overwhelmed by the immensity of the forces arrayed against life: "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Our strength comes from our trust in the One who can and will bring about victory, so our faith cannot be something merely emotional or secondary if it is what Pope Benedict XVI calls "performative" in our lives - if it is to truly motivate our action along with hope and love.

The days of Lent remind us of the sacrificial offering of Jesus, the innocent Lamb led to the slaughter, who laid down His life for us and all who would follow Him. He taught us to embrace the crosses of our life and not to be afraid. He taught us to let our light shine and never turn back once we have placed our hand upon the plow. We may confront an overwhelming foe as Moses and King David did, but we remember Pharaoh and Goliath's fate. By lifting a wooden staff, and with a single stone, two great and mighty forces were defeated. Our strength does not originate in our abilities alone but in the mighty power of God at work in us.

As we face the ever-growing obstacles of the Culture of Death and the powerful forces that support it, let us remember the heart of the Easter message and the power Our Lord offers us in His name. We do not know the day when life will once again be protected from conception until natural death, but we know that it will be.

- from Human Life Intl.