October 31, 2007

General Intention

Respect for Life. That medical researchers and legislators may have a deep respect for human life from its beginning to its natural conclusion.

In February speaking to the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Benedict called on scientists, doctors, legislators, and politicians to lead the way in reawakening the voice of conscience in people's hearts regarding the value of human life. "Life is the primary good we have received from God, the foundation of all others."

In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II said that all can "by the light of reason...come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end. Upon the recognition of this right every human community and the political community itself are founded."

In other words, a reasonable person can uphold the value of life only by complete respect for human life from conception to natural death. Once we start to disrespect the life of one group anywhere, we have disrespected all human life, including our own. If we condone disrespect for fetal life, for example, or the life of one who is disabled, we tempt ourselves and society to disrespect any and all life as it becomes convenient to do so.

The Pope provides a frightening list of current threats to respect of human life:

- pressures to legalize abortion in Latin America

- new forms of chemical abortion

- increase of population control

- obsessive search for the "perfect child"

- legalizing marriages closed to natural procreation

The Pope emphasized the need to "open minds and hearts" to the value of life in all its stages. We do this by praying, especially the fervent prayer of the daily offering. We do this by speaking up in groups. We do this by creating and patronizing arts that lift up human life.

Reflection

Have you ever been in a situation in which human life was disrespected in some way?

Scripture

Job 40:2 — "Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him who would correct God give answer."

Mission Intention

Peace in Korea. That the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow in the Korean Peninsula.

In October 2006 the world expressed shock and outrage at North Korea's nuclear test. Responding immediately, the Catholic Bishops of Korea sent a message for peace and reconciliation to the North.

The Korean bishops recalled the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula adopted in 1991. "This [denuclearization] can be achieved only through dialogue with patience," they wrote. "Hatred begets hatred and violence begets violence. The international society must walk the difficult way and respond with peace, not through military sanction or blockade. Peace can be achieved only through forgiveness and reconciliation. Therefore, the Catholic Church in Korea firmly refuses any form of violence."

In his own comments on Korea a month later, Pope Benedict affirmed the Korean bishops, saying, "Violence can never be a just response to the problems of societies, because it destroys the dignity, the life, and the freedom of the human being it claims to defend."

The Korean peninsula has suffered divisions for over 50 years. South Korea has 48 million people, including 4 million Catholics. North Korea, which lacks religious freedom, has a population of 22 million people.

If, as the Pope and the Korean bishops declare, peace cannot come by violent means, then how may true peace come to Korea? Through reconciliation, communication, empathy, dialogue, sharing, cooperation, and, most of all, through prayer. Let us join together in praying for Christ's perfect peace upon the peninsula of Korea.

Reflection

Why do you think the Pope and the bishops insist that peace cannot come by violent means?

Scripture

I Peter 3: 9-10: "Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing. For whoever would love life and see good days must...seek peace and follow after it."

Daily Offering Prayer

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Prayer of the Month

Come, Holy Spirit! You breathed over the waters at the dawn of creation and brought forth all living beings. By the breath of the Risen Lord, You filled the apostles with power to restore life to those dead in sin. On the last day You will breathe over all the dead and raise them from their graves.

Come and breathe on our world today, Spirit of Life, and defeat the works of death in our midst. We worship You, and we trust in You. No matter how strong the forces of death, we know we can find endless life in You. Renew that life in each of us, and make us worthy apostles of life in our day! Amen.

(adapted from priestsforlife.org)