This Sunday, the gospel presents John the Baptist testifying that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and the Son of man. As he saw Jesus coming toward him, he said to the people, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. He was informing them that Jesus is not only the Messiah who comes with power to save us, but He also comes to us as a sacrificial lamb who offers His whole life so that our sins might be forgiven.
Now what sin is John talking about? When we hear the word sin, we attribute it to any offense committed against God, like breaking one of His commandments, and that is our typical understanding. But it could also mean failure to love and care, especially when God has given us His love, and we turn our back away from Him. We see this in our everyday life, how instead of being grateful that God has blessed us with a family, with children and with a job, we take them for granted. Instead of welcoming and being happy for the gift of a baby given by God, some recourse to abortion.
Last Sunday, a representative from Life Choices came to us to talk about their mission of how many babies were saved from unwanted pregnancies and how they helped women and men who are in need of free services related to pregnancy and sexual health.
No wonder the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22nd as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”. In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22nd is observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.
Saint John Paul II, in his farewell address during his 1987 apostolic journey to the United States, said: “America, your deepest identity and truest character as a nation is revealed in the position you take towards the human person. The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones. The best traditions of your land presume respect for those who cannot defend themselves. If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life!”
As we observe the Day of Prayer on January 22nd, let us pray for the protection of the unborn children in their mothers’ wombs. Let us also realize that the respect of all human life depends on our prayers and actions every day. Consider how you can reach out to help a mother facing a crisis pregnancy, give food and warmth to the homeless and care for all of God’s children—regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or ability. Each and every person is cherished by God, and we must be His hands and feet.