Taking The Whole Thing? (original) (raw)

Second in a (Likely) series
For many Catholics, Lent is a time to give something up; my Mom one year gave up Peanut Butter and one of my Sisters gave up putting salt on food. But it can also mean doing something extra, and this is the path I have chosen. Through the miracle of the 'Net, I can attend daily masses virtually. It's on the order of the 'Mass for Shut-Ins' that many TV stations used to do.

The readings for today's mass were from Deuteronomy(30:15-20) and from the Gospel of Luke (9:22-25). The priest took the command to "choose life" and speak against abortion. As I listened I thought, "That may be the cross he has chosen". But he spoke of a "pro-life" movement, as so many in that camp do.

And I thought, "Then you're not taking up the whole cross!" If your definition of "life" extends only to unborn humans, then you're missing a bigger picture.

Where was this movement when Bush (who was supported by the "pro-life" community), wove a web of lies that has lead 4000+ Americans into a slaughter and countless civilians in Iraq and elsewhere? Why did these same "pro-life" politicians oppose expanding child care, and oppose legislation to help people in need? Why did I not see petition at my church against drilling or advocating a gas tax?

Now I've heard that if you say you pro-something instead of anti-something it works better. So if this movement, which seems so concerned with the fetus, but not so much with the child, wants to better classify it's cross, perhaps the term "Pro-Fetal" or "Pro-Birth" would be a better definition.