Homily for the 'Mass of Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life'

Today, as a Diocese and throughout our many parishes, we celebrate a “Mass of Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life.” One need not be a Catholic to express that intention of gratitude. But one cannot, however, be a Catholic without that sentiment rooted deep in our souls.  

St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the religious family to which I belong, explained that “nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit.” Vincent was fond of telling his confreres and sisters that gratitude was the most important Christian virtue. The ability to give thanks is an essential skill to learn. It teaches us humility. And humility consists in recognizing the truth of what is.

We are – all of us – created by God, created by God as we are. That is truth. “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you,” the Prophet Jeremiah proclaimed this truth.  “Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose (Jeremiah 1: 5).”  

Our creation, our very lives, therefore, are no mistake, no accident and admit of no exception. That is truth. We should give thanks to God for this truth, for this gift of life. Giving thanks to God for the gift of human life is the humble disposition, the truth that joins us together today in prayer. It should be our prayer every day.

As Catholics, we are “pro-life.” How can a Catholic be otherwise? And, yet, we see in our day people – even some who identify as Catholic – who not only are NOT pro-life but who work against that conviction, who vigorously support a contrary position, who tragically seek to make even more restrictive legislation that enables the destruction of life at its most vulnerable stages in the womb the law of the land, the law of our state.  That is why it is so important for us to stand up as Catholics and be counted as pro-life. It is not simply one of many labels applied to us. It is, as the bishops of our country have reminded us, our “pre-eminent priority.”  

Today, I do not wish to focus time or attention on those who oppose us, those who labor under the banners of “pro-choice,” “reproductive rights” or “reproductive freedom” as their rationale for advancing a “culture of death.” Instead, let us lift up our pro-life cause to foster building a “culture of life.”

A week ago today, we sadly commemorated the 48th anniversary of the fateful Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court. We celebrated “Mass for the Legal Protection of the Unborn,” something we all wish did not need to be our intention. Today, we celebrate a “Mass Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life,” an intention that should always be ours.

The saint of the streets of Calcutta, Mother Teresa, once reminded us:

America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has shown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father’s role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts – a child – as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience.

Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. ... If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Today, as we join together in the greatest of all prayers, the Eucharist, let us ask the Lord Jesus who gave his life for all of us, born and unborn, to give us the grace to protect the innocent, most vulnerable child in the womb; to encourage their mothers and fathers to let them live; to work with renewed strength to build “a culture of life” and a “civilization of love.” Together, let us give thanks to God for the gift of human life!