Life is Beautiful!
“Love is patient, love is kind… Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
Over 150 years ago, a horrific civil war was waged over matters, which at their roots, were simple: Are these people from Africa... people? Yes, the primary issues had many manifestations; however, honestly answering this core question would have been the antidote to the poisons of slavery and the subsequent war. Although laws, court decisions, and business interests provided a cornucopia of other impassioned rationales (excuses?), the Truth remained at hand. Love demanded rightful actions.
During the Indian Removal Act (a law passed by the Congress), Truth and Love were again in short supply. The right-minded first question was the same: Are these native people… people? Today, these historical realities are looked upon with great disdain, embarrassment, even horror. For the "self-evident" was not seen... certainly not by the masses... and more specifically, not by those with power. Does anyone still want to argue that the "Trail of Tears" and the institution of slavery were necessary? As always, the Truth is not too far away. How was there such blindness in the only nation ever founded upon a moral creed: "All men are Created equal?”
And so, it should not be so surprising that the same thing is happening today... just with a different group of human beings? I don’t remember humanity being sanctified during the past 150 years. In fact, today we are witnesses to the rage and slander in the cause of maintaining the status quo… raw control over other human beings... the presumed right to do whatever is desired. Self has been elevated to the throne… the Truth be damned.
Whenever man puts himself where only God belongs, there will always be an ocean of hurt... even a river of blood. The question before us today is as basic as before: Are children in the womb… children… human beings like us? A moment of thought reveals that they are exactly like we were during one point of our own journey in Life.
The answer to this question (empirically, scientifically, and morally) is still "self-evident." The unwillingness to see what is obvious is the real source of the rage. Terrified, desperate voices screaming, "I will be God!" And yes, the prerequisite of honesty is still the key factor that is missing. Clearly, this is not about "subjugating women"… "controlling women's bodies"… "re-establishing the patriarchy"... or trying to "set up a theocracy”… or countless other slogans.
Rather, those who oppose abortion do so for a very simple reason: They see the baby as a Divine Gift... a blessing... a human being… just like the rest of us. Moreover, they are doing what they believe will raise this banner of Truth… against the harshest of insults and condemnations... for an audience unable to thank them… at least not presently. This is what Love often requires.
No one is trying to control anyone's lifestyle (obviously!). Consider the wholesale decadence and staggering licentiousness of the present age. Someone is controlling and/or limiting people’s private passions?! Who exactly?! People are free to be as promiscuous as they desire… and often receive adulation for such… narcissism viewed as liberation.
In fact, if a woman wants to remove an organ from her body, many would seek to dissuade... but not forbid it. Look around; people are putting horns on their heads, tattoos across their faces, pierces all over their bodies, even removing their ears. Personal autonomy is alive and well. In the case of ending the life of a baby in the womb... in the case of re-locating the Native Americans... in the case of enslaving people from Africa… someone else is also involved.
The questions remain the same: Who is a human being? Do all human beings have “unalienable rights,” including the Right to Life? Despite the lies, prejudice, bitterness, and obfuscation... the Truth is still at hand. And even more, it still holds the power to set us all free! “Let Freedom Ring!”
It seems we have three options:
1.) The continuation of the genocide which has already surpassed 60 million “would’ve been citizens” since 1973,
2.) Extend the vitriol to flat-out civil war, or
3.) Seek and adopt viable solutions.
To my pro-Life friends, there are unpleasant factors that must be taken into consideration: There are now pharmaceuticals that can end a pregnancy… with or without a doctor’s assistance. Moreover, making something illegal does not end it. There have been countless laws enacted for the purpose of ending the illicit use of drugs… laws that have been clearly unsuccessful. Also, there have been numerous gun restrictions enacted… and yet, gun violence has only increased.
Obviously, someone who will pay sufficiently for drugs is able to get them; anyone seeking to kill innocent people is not dissuaded by illegality. In like fashion, abortion will continue unless hearts and souls are first changed. The intensity of moral outrage does not change the facts on the ground. Despite any law presently enacted, abortion “practitioners” will be operating in the shadows… including “service providers" who are not medically trained. It will not be long before the mother also dies as a result of one of these procedures… a fact that will be graphically shouted by most every news outlet in the country… sparking an avalanche of violent demonstrations… and more. Yes, this is tragic... perhaps twisted... even diabolical. However, it is the truth; honest conversation demands that it be spoken.
In the hope of a nation that would have no need of laws to protect the most vulnerable, I put forth the following course of action:
1.) Require all pregnant women to receive ultrasounds of the child in the womb… a simple procedure that only conveys the reality of what is taking place. The procedure can also be most valuable for proper prenatal care… for both the mother and child. Why should helpful facts be denied?
2.) Simplify the adoption process and establish waiting lists such that would-be mothers are able to see the host of loving parents yearning to raise their children. As talk is cheap, I'll put my name on the list right now… and I know there are scores of others who would gladly do the same.
3.) Pass legislation that covers the costs of the pregnancy until the adoption is complete and the birth mother has received all needed health services after delivery.
4.) Promulgate the inherent value and virtue of chastity. As pop culture incessantly celebrates the opposite, a bit of counter-balance should not be problematic. Such counsel could prevent unwanted pregnancies, diseases, heartbreak, and a host of other downstream consequences.
Many of my pro-Life friends will not be adequately pleased by this approach. I understand… especially when one hears the incessant lies so loudly disseminated across the airwaves, social media, and even the so-called “news.” Yes, they are lies… all founded upon the darkest propositions… and, of course, the procedure itself is a grisly atrocity. I am eager to engage the lies… for a disturbing question is on the table: Why is such buffoonery given so much airtime in the media… recitations so proudly given with so little meaningful challenge?
I am well-familiar with the vile poison of lies… the arrogant twist born in a Garden long ago. Lies are the genesis of all evil… and thus, I find each of them most repugnant… to the point of anger. Still… I find renewing calm in realizing my most limited state… unable to be anyone’s Judge… unable to bridge the chasm on my own… only finding strength in surrender to the Will of our Father.
Our job is to be light in the world… to be preservers of truth… to be hope where there is despair… to be agents of healing… to even lay down our lives for our friends. Today… we are called to celebrate the Miracle of Life… on so many fronts! And so, today is the day to Rise and shout Truth from the rooftops and live Love in the streets.
Until that bright day when justice cascades through endless waters and righteousness flows like a mighty stream, let us work and pray for the day when all people seize the gift of Life! And on that day, we will enshrine this new understanding of the citizenry into the law of the land! And this nation… so rightly conceived… finally lives up to the full meaning of her creed!
Over two thousand years ago... a Middle Eastern teenager had overwhelming reasons to flee from her unplanned condition. There were surely other voices shouting to her... other than those of the Angels. Amidst such uncertainty and well-reasoned fear, Mary could have had a totally different reaction to the wonderful news. Thankfully, she sings out, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed!”
May we join in Mary’s song... may every child be seen as a blessing… and the Miracle that each child is! So, let us look to the future with a new sense of Hope... for there is abiding Assurance: The Author of Truth is also the Author of Forgiveness. Life is Beautiful! Soli Deo Gloria!
