The Lazarus of the 21st century - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

We learn many lessons from those who go to heaven. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, we learn a lesson from one who went to hell.

Why was the Rich Man condemned? Was it because he had so much? Was there something inherently sinful about the purple and linen in which he dressed, or the feasts in which he indulged? No. The rich man went to hell because he ignored the other man. He was not condemned for what he did, but for what he did not do. He did not recognize or treat Lazarus as his equal, his brother. Instead, he thought that because Lazarus' possessions were less valuable than his, that Lazarus was less valuable than he. The beggar's cries went unheeded.

The story causes us to wonder what we would do if we were there. Brothers and sisters, we ARE there. You and I have an appointment with Lazarus today, and we will be judged on how we respond. The Lazarus of the 21st century is in our midst. He is in our midst in the poor, the troublesome, the annoying, the person who is smaller and weaker than we are, and the person who seems different and less valuable.

In particular, the Lazarus of the 21st century is our pre-born brother or sister. This is the person rejected by society, the person who begs for help to live but whose cries are rejected 4400 times a day in our country. This is the person torn apart and thrown away by abortion.

The rich man was condemned for not treating Lazarus as his brother. We also will be condemned if we do not treat the pre-born as our brother or sister. Many oppose abortion and would never have one, but they then ask, "Who am I to interfere with a woman's choice to abort?" Today, I will tell you who you are. You are a brother, a sister of that child in the womb! "Who am I to interfere with her choice?" You are a human being who has enough decency to stand up and say "NO!" when you see another human being about to be killed. "Who am I to interfere with her choice?" You are a person who has enough wisdom to realize that injustice to one human being is injustice to every human being, and that your life is only as safe as the life of the pre-born child. "Who am I to interfere with her choice?" You are a follower of the One who said, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to Me." Do we not believe that if we allow a person to die of starvation, that we are allowing Christ to die of starvation? Do we not believe that if we leave the sick untended, that we are leaving Christ untended? Must we not then also believe that whenever a child in the womb is ripped apart, burned, crushed, and then thrown away, that Christ is ripped apart, burned, crushed, and thrown away? It is Christ in the womb! When we stand up for life we stand up for Him!

If abortion is not wrong then nothing is wrong. If we cannot be stirred to respond as individuals, as a Church, and as a nation, to the plight of the pre-born children, then we have lost our soul. Indeed, the Lazarus of the 21st century is knocking at our door. God, have mercy on us and help us to respond!

(Adapted from Fr. Frank A. Pavone)

You do the witnessing

CNS reports that Canada's Pro-Life movement is growing as 20-25k people peacefully marched to Parliment Hill in Ottawa, the nation's capitol.  Zenit reports that the same is true in Italy as 40k marched peacefully through Rome in support of life.  These pilgrims were surprised when another pilgrim, dressed in all white, drove up in his popemobile to join them and encourage them to continue to focus on life.  Good news out of Canada and Italy.

Though you never hear it in the national news, a few people participate in the March for Life in the United States.  In fact, this year for the 40th anniverary march, 650,000 people walked the Mall and ended up at the steps of the Supreme Court.  

That's a lot of people!

That's a lot of buses and flights.  And that's a lot of details.  So if you're planning to lead a pilgrimage  to D.C. for next year's Pro-Life March, or any other year, or you're planning on leading a pilgrimage to a World Youth Day or NCYC, give us a shout.  It's kinda what we do.  

Let us do the work.  You do the witnessing.