The pro-life movement is, in its essence, a civil rights struggle, a campaign to achieve recognition and rights for preborn babies, their mothers, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It is a noble cause, and it can be successfully and succinctly argued from a purely secular perspective.
Yet, many people who belong to the pro-life movement are people of faith, and pastors can be instrumental in bringing the pro-life message to their congregations.
Given this fact, “Proclaiming the Message of Life” by Father Frank Pavone is a helpful resource for both the clergy and the lay faithful. The book draws from scripture, and presents helpful homily hints for every Sunday of the year.
Consider the homily which emanates from the book of Genesis, the First Letter to the Colossians, and the Gospel of Luke. The sermon’s theme is hospitality, and Fr. Pavone contrasts a questionable prayer at a National Abortion Federation workshop with a lovely pro-life poem.
The pro-abortion “prayer” states: “My husband works too hard already. We cannot open our home to you now. Try again, little one, or find a better place.”
Compare that with a few lines from a pro-life prayer written by a woman identified as Rose Marie: “Come pass this way, unseen one. Come walk through the shadows of life. I invite you, want you, need you.”
Another homily suggestion, based on First Corinthians, takes its inspiration from the apostle Paul’s declaration, “You are not your own.” Fr. Pavone points to a quote from an abortionist, the late Dr. James McMahon, who stated, “After 20 weeks, where it frankly is a child to me, I really agonize over it…On the other hand, I have another position, which I think is superior in the hierarchy of questions, and that is: ‘Who owns the child? It’s got to be the mother.'”
But Fr. Pavone notes that Paul would respond, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”
“Proclaiming the Message of Life” by Fr. Pavone would make a wonderful gift for your pastor–or even for yourself! It states with power how the Bible heralds a message of life which is geared toward all generations.
Editor’s note. This appeared at paprolife.org.
