Q U I C K S C A N

All Life Comes From God
Current Disregard for Human Life
Human Life Always Produces a Human

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

All Life Comes From God

We Christians believe and are convinced that all life comes from God. If there is no God, there is no life. In fact, our life is so different from other life—plant and animal—that we respect. We, as living human beings, are created in God’s image and likeness. In spite of our limitations because of humanity’s fall from grace, we can do things that God can do: We can love, we can forgive sin, we can lay down our life for our brothers and sisters. What is even more of a mystery is that this God who gave us a share in his life through his Son, the Word of God, became man and took on a human nature like ours, though perfect in every way. And this Son of God was conceived in the womb of Mary of Nazareth.

Because of these astounding truths, there is a basic law that is universal and allows for no exceptions: We are not owners of our lives; no human being has power over his own life. We are stewards over the gift of life we have received, responsible for our lives and the lives of others. If we believe life is God’s gift, then we must respect all human life from the moment it begins to exist to the moment of death. And that respect must be extended to all people—from the greatest saint to the worst sinners (at least in our eyes). The reason? It is exactly what God does. Remember: Jesus died for every person who ever existed or will exist. He made no exceptions.

Current Disregard for Human Life

We know there is a great disregard for human life throughout the world today, There are all kinds of reasons given for this attitude, though many consider it unnecessary to offer any reason. An unborn person, an embryo, a fetus is often considered simple tissue or an attachment, an inconvenience or a problem. So many people with human power act as though they actually have God’s power over life and death when, in fact, their actions are so un-godlike. One of the greatest insults to God’s gift of life and his goodness and his will is how many millions of innocent unborn human lives are ended without a second thought.

Our Catholic faith is consistent and the Church is very exact in its teaching about the sanctity of unborn life. Sanctity? Yes, because the unborn share in the life of God almighty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life” (CCC #2270). God’s own revelation in Scriptures speaks this truth beautifully: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Ps 139:15).

It is interesting that other outstanding individuals from varied religious backgrounds have held the same truth: Martin Luther King, Jr.; Mahatma Gandhi; the Dalai Lama; feminists such as Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul, the author of the original Equal Rights Amendment, and many others.

Human Life Always Produces a Human

We say that when the ovum and the sperm unite, there is human life. A human ovum and sperm will produce only human life, nothing else. It may not be perfect, it may be malformed, but whether this human life develops into a genius or a person who is mentally challenged, no right-minded person would say that one is human but the other is not. My sister is a Sister of Charity here in Cincinnati, and she is director of St. Joseph Home for Children with severe/profound mental and physical disabilities (www.saintjosephhome.com/). Check out this video and ask yourself whether any of these little and lovable humans beings should have had their lives ended at conception.

At conception, a zygote is created by that ovum-sperm union. We don’t say that we “came from a zygote.” No, we were a zygote. We did not come from a fetus; we were a fetus. We did not come from a baby, we were a baby. In other words, when we were conceived, we were!

It is amazing that abortion, the ending of innocent human life, is, in so many people’s minds, “no big deal.” It is indeed a big deal and more, because such an act steps in front of God and does exactly what God does not want done. Not all human life is convenient, not all human life is perfect. But all human life is from God and therefore really belongs to God. No one has the right to deliberately end a life ultimately given by God. God is the creator; we are the caretakers.

Finally, having said all this, can anyone doubt that all these aborted little ones are not with God for all eternity? He made them for eternal life, and, though their earthly lives were cut short, they now enjoy eternal life with their creator.

(Next month: An important word to women who may have had an abortion.)

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “Pathways of Prayer (Part II).”

Dear Friar Jack: I am very pleased to be reminded today, as I am reading your “Pathways of Prayer,” that I need them all. Given my busy schedule, before I go to bed at night I long for that inner peace within me. I am able to listen where my heart is, as the Holy Spirit calms me down to sleep. I become one with God as I pray, and trust that he directs me to start the day in a good way in the morning and also through the day. I praise God for all the blessings he brings upon us, and I’m grateful for your sharing what I believe touches others as you have done for me today. God bless you! EBW

Dear Friar Jack: What a wonderful set of articles. We always seem to get in a rut with prayer. You have given everyone ways to change that. When one type of prayer becomes less fulfilling, we have a list of other types of prayer to renew our relationship with God. As an S.F.O. (Secular Franciscan), I pray morning and evening prayers that are “comfort” type prayers—familiar ones that you can almost say in your sleep. I am going to send my brothers and sisters to your site and tell them to read your article. Many thanks for all you do to help enliven the Franciscan journey. Rosemarie

Dear EBW and Rosemarie: I appreciate your e-mails and those of others who have found something helpful in my “Pathways of Prayer.” It’s good to see God’s spirit at work in you. Each month, I pray for all who receive my E-spirations. May God bring healing and fuller life to all of you! Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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