Now What?

I have a few magazines on my dining room table that I recently promised my husband I would read through so we could get them off the table.  One of them was the AARP the Magazine.  In it I came across a rather long-titled article by Rich Cohen:  The What vs. the How, Closing the Deal and Other Lessons from the Game of Life.

Turns out, it was an interesting article and I'm glad I took the time to read it.  The author wrote about the life lessons his dad taught him, and in the last paragraph he recalled this little nugget:  "Remember that all this passes and that how we have treated and forgiven one another is all that will remain."

How fitting this little piece of wisdom is in our current circumstances surrounding overturning Roe vs. Wade.  I won't lie.  It was like music to my ears.  I could hardly believe that I have lived long enough to hear that beautiful proclamation.

But there is much work to be done.

Catholic Archbishops José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and William E. Lori of Baltimore cut right to the heart of where we are now:  "the new ruling marks a 'time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America.  We thank God today that the court has now overturned this decision,' they said. 'We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most vulnerable among us.”' (OSV)

It is time to continue the work begun to support pregnant and parenting moms.  In doing so, it will offer pregnant women an alternative to abortion, who naturally wonder how they will manage.  If we can continue to develop a support system that is solid, it will go a long way in helping women who are struggling.

The Catholic Church through our bishops, is adamant that we focus to an even greater extent in doing so.  "Walking with Moms in Need is a process through which Catholic parishes and communities 'walk in the shoes' of local pregnant and parenting women in need." (WWMS)  

The call is out for parishes to really make a difference.

". . . the eleven Catholic bishops in the state of Michigan have released a joint statement . . . The pro-life movement must redouble its efforts to ensure every woman has the support she needs throughout her pregnancy and beyond, whether she chooses to parent or create an adoption plan. We affirm that the Church must prioritize this work, through our Catholic Charities and parish-based support networks, to meet the physical needs of mothers and children as well as offer the emotional support and love new mothers need. We also implore men to be respectful of women and responsible when they father a child. We are all called to walk with moms in need, and we encourage all Michiganders to join us in this effort.  (Catholic Diocese of Saginaw)

It is, indeed, time to remember that "how we have treated and forgiven one another is all that will remain."

Let's get after this.  We must move forward in this "post-Roe" America and do whatever it takes to support and protect moms and their unborn babies.

Go forward in love, not hate.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com