We now live in a Post-Roe America. In a 5-4 decision on June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly 50-year-old decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in this country. As we continue to further the protection of human life in the United States, here are some ways to remain in the Pro-Life movement in a Post-Roe America.
Remember the Holy Innocents
In his earthly life, Jesus emphasized that He identified with the “least” of His brothers and sisters, saying that whatever we do to the littlest ones made in His image, we do to Him (Mt 25:31-46) and that whoever receives a little child in His name, receives Him. (Mk 9:37)
Abortion, therefore, is always at a deep spiritual level a Herodian attack on Holy Innocents in the place of Jesus Himself. There was special fittingness to the fact that, on the Solemnity of Jesus’ Sacred Heart, the legal warrant for the desecration and stripping of rights from of the least of Jesus’ brethren — the more than 63 million baby boys and girls in the United States since Roe — would not only be overturned, but exposed as a judicial stain on this country hallmarked for its freedom.
Remain Active in the Debate
Justice Samuel Alito’s monumental opinion for the Supreme Court majority demolished a half-century’s worth of pseudo-scientific inventions, half-truths, embarrassing legal arguments and illogic that have been used to justify abortion, defend Roe and destroy human life since 1973.
In its place, Alito returned abortion decisions to the states, to state legislators and to the citizens
who elect them. The battleground for the defense of human life has been returned to the democratic process, which will have mixed results. Abortion will be legally or practically impossible in many states, while in others it will be permitted, celebrated and even publicly paid for during all nine months of pregnancy.
In most states, there will hopefully be joint efforts to address the pressure points that lead women to choose abortion, like:
– Dramatically expanded care for pregnant women,
– Improved access to ultrasounds,
– Long-term public support for families as a common good, and
– Help for women who would opt to give their children up for adoption, as well as reform of the costs and procedures for those couples desiring to adopt.
Only by supporting life, in an incarnational way, will we help to create a culture of life in the United States. There is an immediate need to step up to the plate and get involved in the pro-life efforts of your state.
You can join Jim Havens, host of The Simple Truth, and thousands of others on the Men’s March, a walking witness marked by prayer and sacrifice to raise awareness for the urgent need to end pre-born child killing.
Recite Your Prayers
In response to this decision, and in thanks to God, we, the people of God, respond, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Ps 126:3) However, do not think that this is the final victory. It is a step, but it is not the end of the war. We can take a moment, in gratitude and humility, to thank God for the victory of this battle at the federal level. But there remains tremendous work to be done in each state and local community.
Continue to recite your rosaries and offer intentions for your local state officials, so that the stain of abortion may be finally lifted from our country and every human life is treated with dignity and love.
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