Deacon Matt's Reflections

Reflection for Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 30th

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19: As we commence another year, fighting for protection of the unborn; this passage can certainly be evidence of a Scriptural foundation stone for our stand against the evil of abortion. The prophet Jeremiah is here told by God, that (God) “knew” him, even before he was formed in his mother’s womb. He was also told that God had a dedicated purpose for him; even before his birth. Jeremiah had been chosen by God to be a prophet to the nations, even before his birth. This should be a wake-up call for all who promote abortion. God has a plan for all of these babies; regardless of the circumstances of their conception. We are not to interfere with God’s plan of mercy and salvation!
 
Psalm 71:15ab: “I will sing of Your salvation.” As the first reading progressed, Jeremiah describes how he faces persecution for    speaking out against evil and injustice in the world. How true this is in our current world situation, with its liberal disregard for human life. Clergy and others who speak out to defend the unborn receive hostile and even hateful comments and letters from others who call opposition to the killing of preborn and newborn infants “interference of their health-care choice.” Ironically, some of the most vociferous supporters of abortion all through pregnancy consider themselves advocates for social justice! In 2021, more people were killed by abortion than by co-vid; but the pro-abortion groups think these deaths are negligible. Let’s remember that God knows them all and has a plan for them all. In this psalm, prophets who speak out for the truth and for protection of the vulnerable are promised God’s protection and consolation of them in their suffering at the hands of hostile others.
 
1 Cor. 12:31-13:13: What a perfect time to focus; completely on love… after the tone of pro-life reflection on the first two readings. Love seeks to include all. We don’t have to love what people do; but we can love the person, anyway. We can love the mother and her unborn child. We can love the father; whether he is present or missing. We can pray to be so filled with love that we have an aversion to all violence, both inside and outside the womb. St. Mother Teresa, so wisely observed that “the fruit of abortion is war.” There’s so much truth to be pondered on in that brief statement. If we don’t value life at its littlest, what would make it difficult for us to advocate taking life at its later stages, when life is less innocent and when we can ascribe guilt, blame and other levels of valuation or devaluation?
 
Luke 4:21-30: In today’s Gospel, the people respond with Satanic fury and hostility when Jesus speaks out in support of truth and against unjust persecution and hypocrisy. How do you think Jesus feels about abortion, even though a majority of Catholics now say that they support it? Would Jesus hand an abortionist the scalpel to “terminate” the baby or to exercise a woman’s “health-care decision?” No!  As I stated above, prophets, who speak out to proclaim unpopular truths, are persecuted. They receive hate-mail and hostile comments. Some receive threats and are victimized by physical violence. In schools and universities and in the press, they are openly discriminated against and labeled as “zealots” or “extremists.” Living God’s Law, is now seen as aberrant extremism. Our culture has wandered far from the truth, but God still reigns and has a plan for all.
 
Let’s pray! 
Deacon Matt