Someone shared with me during the days immediately following Pheobe's death, something they had just read. It talked about a generation that refused to give up its youth and how they have given birth to a generation that didn't want to live. I wish I could remember who said that because I believe it and understand the truth of this thought. Consider that idea for a moment. Here we are, racing the clock to turn back aging and eliminate any kind of suffering, in fact, any kind of inconvenience. And yet, we are a nation that casually, and even with great earnest, destroys its very future. Approximately 4,000 abortions occur every day. That is a staggering figure ...actually, its a big money making industry that has lied to our youth. Over time, this has sent a loud, strong message that life doesn't matter unless it is convenient. There's plenty out there who disagree with me, argue an individual's right to choice. I'm not in a place right now to take on that fight ... to lead you to staggering, stunning statistics that would make your head spin. All of which, are cunningly ignored or spun by our media. But I am in a place to share with you the effect this "modern" view had on my own daughter's confusion and perception of how the world operates.
No matter how a life is created, we are a family who treasures that life. There is no baby that is not "wanted." There is no complicated situation that cannot be dealt with. There is no reason, ever, to kill a baby. Babies are ALWAYS good. Phoebe could not wrap her head around how the world could so easily dismiss the life of an unborn baby ...and yet, it seemed, everybody defended that "right" ....except us, and many of our friends. Even our own Church leadership cowers from taking a firm stand, after all it could impact the collection basket. We have plenty of clergy who "spin" the theology and twist the teachings to make people "comfortable" with abortion ...somehow make it palatable. In fact, those of us who have spoken out have been marginalized, even vilified by our own shepherds ...not all of them, but plenty of them have spoken of the "grave disservice" we commit. Many of us were publicly chastised for defending Church teaching. How does that make any sense? How does that protect the treasures of the Church? Phoebe witnessed this and it caused such great confusion for her. We had lots and lots of conversations around this particular cultural issue. Most often it came down to her asking how and why people could be in favor of killing innocent lives ..babies. Our answer was and still is ...they've been lied to. Most people who either staunchly support abortion rights, or who waver unsteadily really don't know the facts ...because they've been lied to. Plain and simple. The ramifications of abortion on our culture is devastating ...for individuals, catastrophic. I am not exaggerating ...though, I know there are people who will chuckle over these statements.
I don't consider myself a terribly political person ...but I am a mother and I pay attention to the culture and its influence and effect on my children. If you think your children aren't confused by a culture that seeks to preserve youth as people age (I'm not talking about eating well and exercising, I'm talking about a cultural obsession with looking 20 when you're 60), AND kills there own future at a rate of 4,000 a day ...you are dead wrong.
So why this strong entry today ...because tomorrow is election day! And I beg each of you to vote for the protection and preservation of life. Look, there's plenty of "Catholics" on the tickets who dismiss Catholic teaching ...some of them have done their fair share of dismissing me. Think about this! Can you really vote for someone who will NOT (time and time again, even in the simplest of ways) defend and protect the most defenseless of us all? If they can't do that, what makes you think they will defend you? Certainly, there are other issues, but none as important as this! We can work with someone who isn't great on immigration, the economy, education and a host of other issues...but strives to protect the unborn. One could be right on all those other issues, and wrong about life ...by extension then, they're intrinsically wrong on everything else ...even when they seem right. Right is right when nobody's right, and wrong is wrong when everyone is wrong.
I for one, hope America wakes up tomorrow, and takes back the reigns and rights of our parenthood. Don't be fooled ...you're much smarter than that. Show your kids that you are not confused, not contradicting. Show them you want to protect our future. Assure them that they and there own children, your grandchildren will be safe. Give to God what is God's!
If our culture had its priorities in order, maybe Phoebe would still be alive today ...maybe!
Eternal rest grant unto Phoebe, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment