February
2, 2009
Dear Missionary of the Gospel of Life,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord of Life!
Annual
rallies and marches for life increased significantly on the
36th anniversary of the infamous Roe v Wade decision
legalizing abortion throughout the United States.
The
Washington D.C. March for Life had approximately 300,000
participants and may be one of the largest crowds to ever
march there. The San Francisco and Portland, Oregon marches
saw increases in multiple thousands of pro-life people.
Birmingham, Alabama saw its gathering nearly double in size
and their diocesan bishop, Robert J. Baker, celebrate the
first pre-march Respect Life Mass in the Cathedral of St.
Paul, literally filled with the People of Life.
The
above are just a few examples of the ongoing growth and
renewal of the Pro-life Movement in our day. In the face of a
government administration that seeks to expand abortion in our
nation and throughout the world, we should be encouraged that
the grass roots movement of the People of Life continues to
increase unabated! We must keep our eyes on Jesus who presides
as Lord, and not be deterred by the actions of the new
administration and congress. The words of John Paul II ring
out as true and timely as they did in his Denver, Colorado
1993 address A Celebration of Life:
Have no fear. The outcome of the battle for life is already
decided, even though the struggle goes on against great odds
and with much suffering. This certainty is what the second
reading declares: "Christ is now raised from the dead, the
first fruits of those who have fallen asleep ... so in Christ
all will come to life again" (1 Cor. 15:2022).
Do not
be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places like
the first apostles, who preached Christ and the good news of
salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This
is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel (cf. Rom. 1: 16). It is
the time to preach it from the rooftops (cf. Mt. 10:27). Do
not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of
living in order to take up the challenge of making Christ
known in the modern "metropolis." It is you who must "go out
into the byroads" (Mt 22:9) and invite everyone you meet to
the banquet which God has prepared for his people. The Gospel
must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference. It
was never meant to be hidden away in private. It has to be put
on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to
our heavenly Father (cf. Mt. 5:15-16).
Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, now is the time to deepen
our devotion and faith in the One who holds the keys of hell
and death, Jesus Christ the Lord! Strive to deepen your Prayer
and increase your Apostolic Witness, for His Honor and Glory!
Jim Pinto, Jr. M.E.V.
Pastoral Associate: Priests for Life
National Coordinator: Missionaries of the Gospel of Life-Lay
Associates
E-mail:
Missionary@priestsforlife.org
Have you made your MEV Promises?
www.priestsforlife.org/missionary/july07letter.htm
Have you registered for the MEV-Community Site?
www.pfl-mev.org/user/CreateUser.aspx
MEV materials:
www.priestsforlife.org/store/c-47-missionaries-of-the-gospel-of-life.aspx
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