And their mothers

Greetings on this the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7; Psalm 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13; Mark 3:7-12

Summary

A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.

Pope Saint John Paul II
Evangelium vitae

In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.

Reference for the beautiful encyclical Evangelium Vitae: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html
Reference for the Day of Prayer: https://www.usccb.org/january-22
Reference for a 33 Day Affirmation for Women: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/05/28/thirty-three-days-of-affirmation-for-women-journey-of-spirituality-and-empowerment/

Reflection

In our sacred readings today, David and Saul have to deal with the problem of jealousy and the problem of misplaced adoration and praise.

The women played and sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”
(1 Sam 18:7)

In ancient times singing and dancing to show adoration and thanks was a common practice. Miriam, Aaron’s sister, danced and sang – Sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. (Ex 15:21).

But the praise of David (at the expense of Saul) had dire consequences for them and the people of Israel. It was a terrible miscalculation. When protection of life is spoken without tenderness for women in crisis, we repeat Saul’s error—confusing victory with faithfulness.

It is far better for us to model our behavior after Our Lord Jesus.

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.c A large number of people [followed] from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God” – He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mk 3:7-8a, 10-12).

Personal Reflection

Today we wear purple vestments. It is the only day outside of Lent that we wear purple as a strong visual reminder that today’s Mass has a universal and special intention. The legal protection of the unborn — and I offer an extension… and their Mothers.

The triumphalism (so tempting for so many, understandably) is a terrible miscalculation. It is very good that 49 years later (symbolically of religious significance 7 x 7) the country is finally coming to terms with the meaning of life and the protection of life and how this needs to be of carefully, pastorally, and medically appropriate construction.

The issue is multi-facetted and has many types of manifestations. Simplistic is hardly adequate. But still, we rejoice that we are moving forward!

It would have been easy to sit and take accolades for his work. Instead Jesus continued his work lovingly and privately (say nothing) curing and reassuring those in need… including the Mothers. The single omission (in scale/comparison) of the current practice is meaningful support for the mothers.

Nature itself, from being “mater” (mother), is now reduced to being “matter”, and is subjected to every kind of manipulation… [instead we must] offer moral and material support to mothers who are in difficulty and are tempted to have recourse to abortion. (EV 22, 26)

He warned them sternly not to make him known.

(that is: humility, discretion, care over spectacle)

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry