Wednesday, January 22, 2014


Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children)

(I Samuel 17:32-33.37.40-51; Mark 3:1-6)

A national Catholic newspaper predicted that tens of thousands would attend today’s “March for Life” in Washington.  Given the typically cold weather there in late January, the number is not small.  Rather it is indicative of the great courage of the pro-life movement.  The marchers prove themselves true disciples of Jesus who in the gospel today also displays untypical courage.

The situation almost sounds like a scam.  The Pharisees, looking for grounds to persecute Jesus, perch themselves in the synagogue on the Sabbath to examine his actions.  A man with a withered hand serves as their bait.  Despite his awareness of the Pharisees’ design, Jesus invites the disabled man forward.  Defiantly he asks if it is not lawful to cure on the Sabbath.  The Pharisees cower in silence.  Then Jesus boldly cures the lame hand.

Abortion is the proverbial elephant in the room that few wish to talk about.  All people know that the fetus is a human life which deserves protection.  But they often prefer to say nothing probably because prohibiting abortion means curtailing sexual activity which many believe that they cannot live happily without.  We need to bravely express the stark truth about abortion whether by marching in the cold or by button-holing associates.