The often heard term “pro-life” means more than the usual clichés. “Pro-life” is an action, a lifestyle, and not simply a choice of being against abortion, euthanasia and other life-ending practices. For example, every day there are choices to be pro-life. By extending kindness and love towards a relative, friend or foe, by treating others with respect and honoring their distinct human dignity and by speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves, a person is, essentially, being “pro-life.” To be “pro-life” is not just to defend the dignity and personhood of human life, but it is also to love the person – all persons. To be “pro-life” is to be “pro-love,” just as Christ is to His Church.
It is not always easy to live the value system of “pro-life” and “pro-love” in the real world. It is easy to become irritated, annoyed or angered at the injustices in the world around us, in the wickedness and pure evil of actions such as of abortion, euthanasia, war, poverty, crime, and all other forms of evil around us. To be “pro-life” and “pro-love” is not to be indifferent to these evils, or to condone their existence. There is such a thing as a “righteous anger” – but the presence of such anger does not permit one to hold back our “pro-life” and “pro-love” principals. We must continue to love, especially in the face of evil, for our God is compassionate and slow to anger:
“Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.”
-Psalms 103:8
At the same time, God commands that vengeance is His, and that we all will be held accountable for our words and deeds.
“Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
-Romans 12:19
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God).”
-Romans 14:10 – 12
To be “pro-life” and “pro-love,” we must look to the heart of the issues and show love and compassion for those who are hurting - which includes all people. We must stand up and speak out for those who cannot do so themselves, and we must love and pray for those who accept the false teachings of the world around us and reject the truth of Christ. Without the truth of His teachings, there is no moral basis and the conscience dies, leaving humanity with no viable measure of right and wrong, good and evil. What is evil becomes twisted and viewed as what is good, as it is often seen as what is convenient or most attractive in the moment.
To be “pro-life” one must be “pro-love,” and in doing so, we strive to care for others in the best way possible, through mercy, compassion and sacrifice which is granted to us by Christ Himself. Without that, it is impossible to love anyone and impossible to be “pro-life” and defend anyone or anything.
It is not an easy road to give of oneself and to love those who despise you and do evil in the world. It is much easier to show distain for such people, and condemn their personhood and not just their evil works, but to do so is not “pro-life” or “pro-love” – in fact, it is the opposite. To be “pro-life” and “pro-love,” it takes a daily renewal of faith, love and obedience to Christ and His teachings. Sacrifice is never easy, and often human nature tries to get in the way. While it is a struggle to keep “pro-love” in “pro-life”, it is an honorable choice to do so and the only way to effectively stand up for the value, dignity and beauty of human life in all stages, be it the child in the womb, the elderly or sick person on the hospital bed, your beloved family or friend, or the complete stranger standing next to you on the subway.
May God bless those who chose to be “pro-life” and “pro-love,” and may we be effective in spreading His truth in word and deed, and may Christ in His infinite love grant us compassion, peace and joy as we go forth into the world as dedicated “pro-life” and “pro-love” servants to others.
In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit – Amen.
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