Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Q. 355: Do our Readings this Sunday shed any rays of hope concerning a reversal of the evil abomination called “Abortion” that plagues our country/world? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
(Cycle “B" – January 22, 2006)
A. 355: Today is the anniversary of one of the most heinous days of disgrace ever to besmirch the honor of our country – a day terribly costly and insulting to the dignity of the human being. It is the 33rd anniversary of the incredibly shameful Roe vs. Wade decision by the Supreme Court of the USA. Because of that decision, millions and millions of unborn babies have been killed, left without the protection one would expect from a so-called “country of freedom” that started out based on commonly held, God-given natural law values.
It would appear that the Magisterium (official teaching office) of the Catholic Church is the only bastion of truth left it the entire world, in the area of faith and morals. This Magisterium teaches the obvious: there are certain actions in life that are intrinsically evil. They are evil in their conception, and evil in their implementation. These include abortion and euthanasia, which Pope John Paul II included in a list of “infamies” that “poison human society” (Evangelium Vitae, #3, 1995).
Where are those “rays of hope” you ask about? In the first reading today (Jonah 3:1-5,10) God used the prophet Jonah to call the Ninevites to turn from their evil ways. They did do so, and fasted as a penance for their evil actions. God accepted their repentance, and did not permit them to suffer the destruction their previous actions had earned them. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds his listeners to choose which world they want to focus on: the earthly one, or the heavenly one, because “the time is short.” And in the gospel today (Mk 1:14-20) Jesus calls his disciples to follow Him and His way, not the way of the evil and worldly King Herod.
Those are wonderful rays of hope: a message that all sinners, without exception, can experience God’s mercy and compassion, if they turn from their evil ways. Even those who once yielded to the abortion process can find healing, joy and forgiveness through avenues such as Project Rachel, a wonderful and compassionate counseling service for those seeking a return to God’s ways.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! God’s mercy and compassion shine through on the sinner who approaches God in the “sacrament of conversion” – the Sacrament of Reconciliation (CCC #1422). The first goal of conversion is an interior change of heart (CCC #1430). Jesus taught us to trust completely in our Heavenly Father’s mercy when he taught us, through the Lord’s Prayer, to pray with a sincere heart: “forgive us our trespasses.”
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
