Sunday, September 12, 2021

an invitation. As you well know the State of Texas now has a law prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, at about six weeks of pregnancy. While all those who are pro-life and opposed to abortion may want to celebrate this victory, I urge you to remember that this is far from a complete success in developing respect for all human life from the moment of conception till natural death. This is a victory in only the most limited sense.

We have laws against theft and against human trafficking, and we are glad that we have such laws. But they are hardly what we want our fellow citizens (and ourselves) to consider when presented with an opportunity to steal or to traffic other people. The laws help keep us safe, but they are NOT what the Kingdom of God is about. They are a minimum boundary that helps to keep us safe. Laws are about fear, but the Kingdom of God is about life and about love.

Similarly, the new law against abortion will not necessarily increase respect for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. That positive value is what we as Christians must strive for. The ceasing of abortions in itself is NOT an increase in respect for human life. Therefore, our job as Christians to witness to the dignity of all human life is far, far, far from complete.

It seems clear to me that this new law impels (or should impel) all Christians who value human life to step up their efforts to support women who find themselves in difficult situations of pregnancy. Many of these women feel abandoned and overwhelmed. We need to do much more to let them know that we are ready to provide them emotional, spiritual, financial and physical help, with a listening ear, diapers and supplies, and medical and emotional help.

Fortunately, we have a vehicle to assist women in difficult pregnancy situations through our Gabriel Project here at St. Austin’s. The Saint John Paul II Life Center in Austin is another important resource. Both provide concrete practical help to pregnant women, and both need to be better known.

In short, this is not a time to celebrate a victory, but rather a call to redouble our efforts to promote respect for all life, regardless of age, or creed, or ability, or race or national origin. All people are our sisters and brothers, and we are called to live that out. We have lots to do.

Secondly, I want to invite you to a virtual fly through of our new parish ministry and school space. It will take place here, in St. Austin Church, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday September 19. It will last about an hour. It will be live-streamed, but we think the quality of the live-stream will be a little shaky. So if you can join us, please do. I think you will be impressed. Right here in church! 
 

God bless,

Fr. Chuck