OCTOBER - Respect Life Month

October - Respect Life Month

During the month of October we celebrate the gift of life, in all stages from conception to natural death, and we remind ourselves of the dignity and value of each person. Every child conceived has a right to be born, to live in a family where the child is protected, treasured and loved. Each child has a right to adequate food, shelter, education, and medical care. A child has a right to live in a supportive community, free from violence and fear and on a planet that is protected from misuse and exploitation. We hope that each child can be free as an adult to worship, to work at a job that uses the individual’s talents and gifts for a just and living wage.

Of course, the reality of life for many children and adults on our planet is quite different. It’s unpleasant to think about abortion, abuse, people who are alone, afraid, in pain, people who are hungry, homeless, without jobs or opportunity. The violence and evil in the world can overwhelm us and make us feel powerless.

Our frustrations and fears accomplish nothing and distract us from two things God asks of us, two things needed to overcome evil: faith in God and the loving witness of our lives. Franciscan Richard Rohr tells us that there is a difference between optimism and hope. It may be hard to be optimistic, but as Christians we hold on to hope, because we have a God who, in Jesus, met the powers of darkness and defeated them. Things may look grim now, but we know the end of the story, and it’s a happy, glorious ending. Be always ready to give an explanation for our hope (1 Pt 3:15)

And what can we do in the meantime? Pray and put the love of God into practice. In our daily prayer, pray for those who are going through hard times, that they have hope, persistence, the assistance they need. And do what we can to help others in need: make a donation to an organization that feeds the hungry or give to our local food shelf, welcome a new neighbor, do a random act of kindness for someone in need. We have countless opportunities to lift up others in love.

May everything we say and do witness to God's merciful love for every human being, we pray ... Lord hear our prayer.