Galesburg Catholic Parishes

On January 24th 17 of our area students and 10 adults will be participating in a rally & march in Washington, DC marking the 47th anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision, Roe v Wade.

This reminds me of a story about a missionary couple, Bob and Pam. Parents of 4 children already, Pam became pregnant with the family’s 5th child. Just prior to this pregnancy Pam took some rather high-powered antibiotics to fight off a life threatening infection caused by contaminated drinking water. Immediately, Pam became aware that the pregnancy was not normal. Doctors determined that the placenta was detached from the uterine wall, thus depriving the fetus with needed oxygen and nutrients. The doctor’s choice was simple—the baby would be still-born; so have an abortion now. As people of faith, Bob and Pam’s choice was simple—abortion was not an option. Though described by Pam as “skinny” at birth, the child was fine. Thankfully, this similar story is told over and over again. Regrettably, the opposite of this story is also told over and over again. In fact, it has been argued that one of the most dangerous places in America today, is in the Mother’s womb.

Every generation is going to be faced with a new temptation to believe the lies of Satan. Though, we are thoroughly convinced that abortion is a sin, we must continue to preach this truth to the next generation. 2 weeks ago one of our Students for Life spoke before Mass; saying she was raised in a Pro Life home. Statistics tell us, not all our young people are so fortunate. We must not lose another generation to the belief that abortion is a “right”, or that it is none of our collective business, that it is between a woman and her doctor. That it is Not a sin against God.

From the book of Job:

If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me, what could I do when God stands up [to judge]? How should I answer Him when He calls [me] to account? Did not the One who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?

The primary argument that Job makes is that he has given fair and honest treatment to ALL human life—even his slaves. He recognized that God was the maker of ALL.

Biologically, we know that life requires a man and a woman; but we also know that no life comes into being without God as the author of that life. Not only this, but we are made in the image of God. We are the pinnacle of God’s creation.

God not only knew us before we were born, He was already at work making us unique. There has never been another person like you. Every person ever conceived has a uniqueness given to them by the hand of God. When that life is snuffed out, that uniqueness is snuffed out.

There are many reasons that abortion is wrong. But ultimately, abortion is wrong because it is an assault on the person-forming work of God in the womb. This is God at work doing what He alone can do; creating a person in his own image; and to attack this little person being completed by God is to attack God.

What about Bob and Pam’s baby boy—the pregnancy the doctors said to terminate? That little skinny boy grew up. He is now 32 years old, 6’3” and weighs 235 pounds. His family calls him Timmy. You know him as Tim Tebow— quarterback of the Florida Gators and New York Jets; Heisman Trophy Winner, and arguably among the greatest College football players ever to play the game. A very unique, and a very faithful individual.

The taking of the life of the unborn – is a very important issue. It is not just a social issue, or a woman’s issue, or a health issue. It is a God issue.

To be Pro-God is indeed to be Pro-Life.

I’ll finish my words today with words from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stand at times of challenge and controversy…There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular; but must take it because his conscience tells him it is right… Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person …is at stake. Society’s punishments are small, compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way…

Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about things that matter”.