Catholics, we are encouraged to promote the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has called us to promote the Gospel of Life, and protect and cherish the lives of the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, and the unborn. We should never forget that God is the Creator of all life, and all life is precious in His sight. In past statements, Pope Francis has strongly criticized a “throwaway culture” that places too little value on human life. He said, “Unfortunately what is thrown away is not only food and disposable objects but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary.” He stressed the need to respect the dignity of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society.
The following “Prayer for Reverence for Life” provided by “Catholics Online” reflects the sentiments of Our Holy Father:
Heavenly Father,
the beauty and dignity of human life was the crowning of your creation.
You further ennobled that life when your Son became one with us in his incarnation.
Help us to realize the sacredness of human life and to respect it from the moment of conception until the last moment at death.
Give us courage to speak with truth and love and with conviction in defense of life.
Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who do not reverence your gift of life.
To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed to be grateful for your precious gift of life or to respect it in others.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer and the profound words of Pope Francis, this Sunday we are invited to reaffirm our appreciation for the precious gift of life.
A series of “Life Chains” will be conducted throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. We are invited to participate in the “Life Chain” that will be held between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Old Alabama Road in an area that will include the space in front of our Church. The “Life Chain” will be a peaceful, public, and prayerful witness concerning the dignity of all life, especially the lives of the unborn. We will pray for our nation and its people and we will be exercising our responsibility to speak out on behalf of the value of life.
Our Holy Father has reminded us that we have been called to be voices for the voiceless, to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are challenged to commit ourselves publicly to the protection of all human life as we strive to enhance the moral integrity of our great nation. If we cannot be at the “Life Chain” in Johns Creek this Sunday, we are invited to speak for the most vulnerable through prayer in the silence of our hearts.
May God continue to bless you and your families for all you do to embrace a culture of life.