Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Serving God faithfully is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple. This is not always an easy task as it seems we regularly encounter obstacles to our service. These situations or people may seem to us as impediments or challenges, and on one level this is true. However, there is another level that lies below the surface that suggests we look inward more deeply. The stories in our today’s readings leave us amazed as to the depth of courage needed to serve the Lord.
People with deep faith, who are willing to serve the Lord completely, can leave us in awe. They seemingly go against the grain of what common sense suggests. For King Saul, David is a youth, “too young” both in strength and wisdom to deal with the warrior of the Philistines. Goliath is obviously a seasoned warrior who will defeat the best Israel has to offer. Yet David is armed with something that all disciples need in their skill set. He has a courage and confidence rooted in a deep relationship with God. “I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts.” David’s deep faith allows him to give himself in complete service to the Lord by trusting that God who has delivered him trails before, and will do so again. What would it take for us to develop this same level of trust?
The trials continue in the reading from the Gospel of Mark. The Pharisees are hoping to catch Jesus doing something against the law. Without a word being spoken, Jesus understands that he is being tested and like David acts in a way that both confounds and mystifies. A man with a withered hand comes to Jesus while the Pharisees are present. Jesus asks a rhetorical question. “Is it lawful to do “good” on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Despite knowing the Pharisee’s hardness of heart, Jesus healed the man for all to see, thus glorifying the Lord. The Pharisees left to use this event to begin their plotting for Jesus’ death.
Although our choices may not seem to have life and death consequences, there are many whose decisions do. Thus we are challenged to live and work for the protection of life in many courageous ways that show respect life from womb to tomb. As we go about our day, pray that the Lord will give us both courageous hearts ready for radical service. Let us especially pray for those who at the March for Life and for all who work for the protection of the unborn; that by our courageous efforts we will not just change laws, perhaps more importantly we will change hearts. Amen!”
-Michael Montgomery