I was struck today, in the shadow of coverage of the March for life, by the readings for today’s Mass
The First Reading is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews
Brothers and sisters:
Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come,
and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect
those who come to worship by the same sacrifices
that they offer continually each year.
Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered,
since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer
have had any consciousness of sins?
But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins,
for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
take away sins.
For this reason, when he came into the world, he said:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll,
Behold, I come to do your will, O God.
First he says, Sacrifices and offerings,
burnt offerings and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will.
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.
and the Gospel is From Mark:
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”
Those who gather annually for the March for Life, in increasing numbers every year live the message of these readings. While it is a annual scheduled gathering, as is the Walk for Life and every other expression of support for life throughout the world, they are all drawn by a drive to follow God’s Will.
But what happens in the days following the march? Some will come home, take their signs and placards and put them away, forgetting about them till next year. Others will continue to fight in various ways, writing blogs and letters, protesting in front of Abortion Clinics, starting or joining pro-life organizations all in ways in which they feel that they can be most useful.
There is a great apostolate that has been developing of the last 40 years, in Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The people that serve these clinics work tirelessly over many hours, most as volunteers. They all serve in an effort to save the babies of those who are on the verge of choosing to end their pregnancy. They offer continual support for the women while they are pregnant, and some teach abstinence or NFP and back up their teaching with loyalty and support. These places are an oasis in the desert that is the Culture of Death.
In one the greatest challenges of affirmation of my own reversion, and a clear sign to me of God’s will to begin the process of actually forming the St Anne Center, I have been asked by a few of these centers to become their Medical Director. A few months ago, I did not know some of these great places existed. They people that I have met share a common trait of spirit that is incredibly humbling to me. It was easy for me to say yes to assist them in any way I can.
Some have asked if this is a conflict of interest….I do not believe it to be so. None of the clinics are really within the catchment of the proposed center, so there is little, if any risk of self referral. And each, while similar, is very different in their charism. They are all special in their own way. I thank God for allowing me to see this up close, and will be involved for as long as He deems. It is just one tiny way that I can stand up for the Culture of Life, and a great preview of what God may allow in the Center to some soon.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us!
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