Words of Life

The first reading and Gospel today reveal that God loves us so much that he describes himself as our spouse. He is not content to “watch us from a distance,” nor to simply “send” his love to us. Rather, he comes radically close to us, fills us with his being, and gives himself entirely to us. We, in turn, are called to give ourselves entirely to him, as to a spouse. The marriage between God and his people, between Christ and his Church, is both permanent and fruitful. This bond of love cannot be broken. Moreover, it always brings about new life in the spirit. It is because the Church is the Bride of Christ that she proclaims the dignity of all human life, and calls us to welcome every life with generosity. 

– www.priestsforlife.org

For expectant mothers: may they await the birth of their child with serenity and trust that God will help them through any financial or medical difficulties; we pray to the Lord. Amen.

The affirmation of God brings with it the supreme affirmation and protection of the dignity of each and every man and woman: "Do you not know that you are God's temple? … God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Cor 3:16-17). Here we find joined together the truth and dignity of God and the truth and dignity of man.

- Pope Benedict XVI, homily at Mass at the Church of Sagrada Familia, Nov. 7, 2010

For all who have sinned against human life: that having once been washed clean in the waters of baptism, they may now be washed clean through the sacrament of mercy in confession ; w e pray to the Lord. Amen.

In many areas of public policy, the rift continues to widen between the moral principles expressed by a majority of Americans and the actions of government. For example, Americans oppose public funding of abortion by wide margins, with 67% opposing federal funding of abortion in health care in one recent poll. … Yet in March of this year, Congress passed a health care reform law that allows for federal funding of abortion in some programs and could pressure millions of Americans to help subsidize other people's abortions through their health care premiums. Ensuring that health care reform will meet the urgent needs for which it has been proposed, and is not misused to promote abortion or to trample on rights of conscience, will be an urgent task in the coming year.

- Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and Chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Statement for Respect life Month (2010)

For all Christians: that the wondrous birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ will awaken our hearts to the priceless gift of every child; we pray to the Lord. Amen.

The evangelization of culture is all the more important in our times, when a "dictatorship of relativism" threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man's nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even to paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister. … Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility.

- Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, Sept. 16, 2010

For families caring for a child with a disability: that God's peace will reign in their hearts and replace their fears with faith and hope; w e pray to the Lord. Amen.