Once again men, women and young people will crowd Constitution Avenue as a part of the annual March for Life. "Constitution Avenue" the roadway that leads to the temple where the right to life, liberty and happiness is proclaimed for all people ... almost all people.
Whether a child in a mother's womb or an elderly person of grace, life, liberty and happiness are gifts and guarantees that were protected within the temple walls until 1973. It is a temple where Justices (men and women who are charged with meeting out "justice) can dictate that political campaigns can be given untold millions but where the lives of millions of unborn children are only perceived as expenses and inconveniences who do not deserve a future. It is a temple where even the lives of noble men and women who have given their lives to families and friends, nations and its needs, may one day be seen as a burden to the nation and families they served and loved.
How easily could the stalwarts marching up Capitol Hill despair. How easily could debilitated seniors fall into depression, fearing how little concern comes their way.
But in truth these victims of a peculiar temple of justice perception of life cannot despair. For centuries the dignity of human life has suffered at the hands of kings, potentates, presidents, civic leaders and each other. But those who treasure the lives of the unborn and who protect the winter years of older people should not despair, there is the promise that the dignity of every conceived child, every debilitated senior (or junior) will not be crushed nor forgotten. "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!" Our God will bring about a renewed recognition of the dignity of every human being.
In the notes appended to the Ordo of Prayer ... and The Celebration of the Eucharist (the official booklet for the Church's prayers and liturgies for each day of the year) there are the following words for Friday, January 22, 2010: today shall be observed in all dioceses of the United States as a particular day of penance for violation to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.
Whether a child in a mother's womb or an elderly person of grace, life, liberty and happiness are gifts and guarantees that were protected within the temple walls until 1973. It is a temple where Justices (men and women who are charged with meeting out "justice) can dictate that political campaigns can be given untold millions but where the lives of millions of unborn children are only perceived as expenses and inconveniences who do not deserve a future. It is a temple where even the lives of noble men and women who have given their lives to families and friends, nations and its needs, may one day be seen as a burden to the nation and families they served and loved.
How easily could the stalwarts marching up Capitol Hill despair. How easily could debilitated seniors fall into depression, fearing how little concern comes their way.But in truth these victims of a peculiar temple of justice perception of life cannot despair. For centuries the dignity of human life has suffered at the hands of kings, potentates, presidents, civic leaders and each other. But those who treasure the lives of the unborn and who protect the winter years of older people should not despair, there is the promise that the dignity of every conceived child, every debilitated senior (or junior) will not be crushed nor forgotten. "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!" Our God will bring about a renewed recognition of the dignity of every human being.
In the notes appended to the Ordo of Prayer ... and The Celebration of the Eucharist (the official booklet for the Church's prayers and liturgies for each day of the year) there are the following words for Friday, January 22, 2010: today shall be observed in all dioceses of the United States as a particular day of penance for violation to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.
