A Pro-Life Week

 This week has been a pro-life week. It started with hearing the homily on Sunday from the Deacon about choosing God in all things- 'Give to Ceasar what belongs to Cesar and give to God what belongs to God.' Essentially, everything belongs to God, even our very lives. He mentioned and gave examples about the Pro-Life movement, and volunteers praying outside abortion clinics for an end to abortion. Their lives and safety are at stack in some cases, those peaceful praying volunteers have been put in prison. 

This made me think and want to continue praying for the end to abortion and also be present again for the 40days for Life campaign. I wasn't sure if I would go out this week, but sure enough someone reached out to me personally if I could sign up for an hour this week, and so I did.

While listening to Sunday's homily, I thought of rereading the book, '40 days for Life' a book about miracles and hope and lives changed and transformed during the campaign and witness of people praying and sharing the truth. I started reading again after many years, 'Won by Love', a personal story about the woman who helped legalize abortion in 1973- Jane Roe, her real name Norma McCorvey, and how she became Pro-Life and against abortion. 

I also thought or relistening/rewatching the debate with Lila Rose and another woman about the topic of abortion. It was a very long podcast, but good to refresh my memory and points and arguments made about an issue that can so easily be misinterpreted, miscommunicated and misrepresented of the truths behind the facts. 

 I also thought of the movie that came out a little over 10 years ago, October Baby. It's loosely inspired by Gianna Jessen, a young lady who founds out she's a survivor of an abortion (her mom aborted her, but the procedure failed) and has health repercussions such as cerebral palsy. I watched that movie again this week and remembered seeing it in Theatres with my mom when I was in Junior College. There's a lot of extra story lines and fluff added with okay acting, but it's still a pro- life movie. 

And there's something being on the sidewalk out at 40 days for Life campaign, outside the abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood. You never know who you're going to meet, what will impact and inspire or impower you. As well as what impact you will make on others- what seed will be planted- even if you witness anger, hatred even, or just plain apathy as cars drive by. You just keep praying and hoping for God to work in the lives of the young mothers choosing abortion for their babies, for those who don't see clearly the severe and devasting impact they are doing to their child and themselves.

One of the ladies I met today, had us pray the rosary in Latin. I don't know much about the language, ither than that it's considered a dead language, but also a language of the church and of course used in Latin Masses. But the effects, the peacefulness of praying in this language was interesting, and different than praying and saying the words in English. She said it's a powerful language because it was one of the languages above Jesus in the Cross, including Greek and Hebrew as well. Also, the devil hates Latin, so even greater protection and effects. I always find it interesting to learn to pray prayers or the rosary in another language, but would never consider Latin, though I have heard it prayed before out loud before. 

October is Respect Life month, and as its wrapping up, life is still precious, and sacred. I want to continue to be knowledgeable, active and prayerful in this mission of pro-life activism.