Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we remember two important events. To fail to address either would seem to be ill advised. Both are of pastoral concern.
The first event we remember is the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision which happened in 1973. This decision made abortion legal in the United States. The arguments that have erupted since have divided our country. On the extremes are those who feel that unfettered abortion should be allowed. The right to end a pregnancy at any time up until the child comes down the birth canal is considered an absolute right for every mother. On the opposite extreme are those who would not allow for a possible abortion even if there are overriding medical considerations for the woman involved. These two extremes stifle all discussion of the subject.
The reality is that most people do not favor unlimited abortion, nor do they want all medical considerations forgotten. The sad thing is that we cannot have a civil discussion that might result in laws that could save many children in the womb and improve the lives of many women living in poverty who have unplanned pregnancies. We need to pray that cooler heads prevail, for a respect for life and a rational discussion of the moral principles involved. Until reason trumps passion in this discussion we will continue to be at an impasse. When we can’t even bring up the subject of a compassionate solution for all then we going to have the vitriol that we presently see in this discussion.
The other anniversary we commemorate today is Martin Luther King’s birthday. This weekend has become a time to pray for better race relations in our country. Since Dr. King’s death there have been times when we seem to have moved forward in healing the wound of racism that exists in our country. At other times we seem to be falling backward.
As a church we have made advances in how we address racial inequality. At other times we seem like we still struggle to incorporate all races into our Catholic Community. This like abortion is a vexing problem. Just when we seem to advance in our moral stance we then seem to struggle.
We pray this weekend, in all humility, realizing that there are no easy answers to the abortion debate nor to racial tension. We ask God to give us inspiration regarding these two issues. After that we ask that God would give us courage to the do the right thing in our daily life.
Blessings,
Fr. Mark
P.S. I would like to welcome Fr. Tim Hepner who is visiting and will be preaching about priestly vocations. He has a hard task since he is one of our vocation directors. Let’s make him feel welcome.