Greetings on this the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Readings: 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10; PS 89:20, 21-22, 25-26; Mk 3:22-30
Notes
The juxtaposition of the Day of Prayer and the martyrdom of Saint Vincent of Zaragossa is of itself interesting. Under the most difficult circumstances Vincent, deacon, remained faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even as the world crushed in upon him, he remained. Yet it was in the kindness of his friends, carrying him to a soft mat and tending to his broken body that he discovered most fully the Lord’s care incarnate in the flesh. Here we are, your bone and your flesh, their actions said. In that moment, he relaxed into the arms of Jesus and died.
Saint of the Day: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-vincent-of-zaragossa/
Franciscan Reflection
Friends among the faithful came to visit him [in prison], but he was to have no earthly rest. When they finally settled him on a comfortable bed, he went to his eternal rest.
The martyrs are heroic examples of what God’s power can do. It is humanly impossible, we realize, for someone to go through tortures such as Vincent had and remain faithful. But it is equally true that by human power alone no one can remain faithful even without torture or suffering. God does not come to our rescue at isolated, “special” moments. God is supporting the super-cruisers as well as children’s toy boats.
Summary
Today, in the USA, is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It is an important reminder that within the body politic, we can have a tremendous effect on the outcomes of so many distressed and pregnant women. The day is poorly named as it is presumptive on the complete independence of the unborn from the mother. An equally tragic naming mistake. Nevertheless, the intention is good. We should rally to the woman in her need and the child she is bearing in the deepest meaning of these words:
Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
How can we help?
Reflection
Bottom line. The Pro-life movement in the USA suffers from a lack of incarnate perspective.
Simplify, simplify, simplify.
Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
How can we help? Let us unite in this message first and foremost.
Personal Reflection
St. Gerard Majella is the namesake of which I was given. He is the patron saint of childbirth, and pregnant women, among others. In our family lore, I was a breech baby, and except for the intercession of Saint Gerard I would not be here typing. St. Gerard Majella is the patron saint of childbirth, children, pregnant women, mothers, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers, the Pro-Life movement, and unborn children. Reference: https://www.stgerard.ca/our-patron-saint-gerard-majella.php
First Reading
Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
Responsorial
My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
Gospel Acclamation
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Gospel
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Jesus and Beelzebul (reverse logic about power and purpose)
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry