As you may know already, January 22nd is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Today’s readings really hit home for me, as my wife and I have very a special soul of ours in Heaven due to a miscarriage. Our precious Zelie, who we named after Saint Zelie Martin, was unable to make it past seven weeks. After we had lost our sweet child, Taylor and I spent many hours in prayer for all the unborn children, especially our little girl.
Divine Plans
Losing a child is devastating and I know we aren’t the only ones to experience the loss of a child. Although we may not understand why certain things happen, we still must trust in God’s divine plan. We must not be afraid to follow Jesus with all our hearts.
“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your son.” Acts 16:14b
I truly felt today’s readings calling me to seek not my own understanding, but rather to seek the Lord instead. “Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.” Psalm 80
Pray
As Catholics, we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters regardless of any sins they have committed. It is really easy to judge those who have had an abortion, participated in the killing of an unborn child, or who have failed to protect innocent life. Let us instead pray for their conversion of heart and that they, too, will feel called to see our Lord’s face.
Today, on the day of prayer for the unborn, let us reflect on how we can defend innocent life even in situations and conversations that may be uncomfortable. Let us spend less time judging the decisions others have made in shortening the life of an unborn child and more time showing them the path of forgiveness, love, and community by having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I challenge each of you to advocate for the unborn whether it be through prayer, meditation, conversation or confession. Do not be afraid to follow Jesus all the way. “Let us see your face, Lord, and we to shall be saved.” Psalm 80
