5/8/2022

In early Christian times there was a custom among the Romans whereby if they did not want to keep their baby, they would leave it on the bank of the river and let the “fates” take care of it. Christians sought out these babies, took them home, and reared them in the Christian faith. This practice eventually led to the acceptance of Christians in the Empire after 250 years, but at the same time to the abolition of the practice of leaving unwanted children on the river bank. It was not just what the Christians said, it was what they did: they loved the children more than their parents did. And it changed not just the law, but the hearts of those who were killing their babies.
Recently there was leaked a draft opinion of the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. A ‘draft opinion’ is not a final opinion, and the final opinion may be much different than the draft opinion. So there is nothing definitive about this document. It is, however, highly unusual to have an opinion leaked like this. In any case, in the leaked draft opinion, the Court reverses both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Were this to stand and be promulgated, it would have the effect of turning the regulation of abortion back to the individual states. From the reaction it is already apparent that regardless of how this plays out in the Supreme Court, it is going to be contentious – the law may change; hearts have not.
Regardless of how the Supreme Court decision plays out, we as Catholics have a responsibility to care for all the people involved: the child in the womb, the mother, and the family. Christ showed genuine concern for others; as Christians we are called to do the same. A couple of questions come to mind: First, who will help the women who don’t get abortions? Here in this parish The Source Medical Clinic (2613 S. Main) is a pregnancy center that seeks to advise those who are pregnant and need help. It has resources provided by donors. For example, the K. of C. donated an ultrasound machine, and the recent tenderloin fry on Friday, April 29, was a fundraiser for them. It is a place designed to help young, pregnant mothers, and it is worthy of your support. There is also an initiative called Walking with Moms in Need offering loving and compassionate care to pregnant women or mothers of young children. We might want to consider creating this initiative in our parish, or going in with others to do so for Nodaway County.
The second question is: Who will help the women who have already had one or more abortions? When a woman has an abortion, she has consented to kill the human life within her, exactly the opposite of what she is made for, namely the creation and nurturing of life. She needs to heal from what has happened, and needs help to do so. The Catholic Church already has a program to help these women: Project Rachel. One has to go to Kansas City or a larger city to find this program, but it is well worth the time and effort to find healing and forgiveness.
Christians place Motherhood on a pedestal: it is a symbol of self-sacrificial love. Today, is Mother’s Day, a time to honor our mothers for all the sacrifices that they have made for us, while at the same time seeking to share this vision with our culture which is in danger of losing it. The early Christians did it. So can we.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms in the parish!

In Our Risen Lord, Father Albert, O.S.B.