2nd Sunday A. MLK Sunday January 15, 2023
Isaiah 49;5-6
Psalm 40:2-4 ff
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34
To be Catholic and Pro-life is to be unconditionally pro-life. To be pro-life is to be in action for the dignity of life, especially human life from the womb to the grave.
The death penalty, gun control, support for families, immigration, racial and economic justice are also life issues. Jesus proclaimed: "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly."
Unfortunately, people have a tendency to want to "get rid" of unwanted people. Nations and groups within nations have tried to "get rid" of unwanted people. This happened in Rwanda Africa and it was tried in Guatemala beginning with the arrival of Europeans to South and Central America. Millions of people were 'gotten rid of' by good, hard working Christian people.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, whose life is celebrated today and tomorrow, gave his life for the lives of unwanted people in the Untied States.
By the example of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who followed the example of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, disciples of Jesus are called to action for “the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.” This is what preaching the Gospel is about, wrote the bishops at their meeting in 1972.
When Jesus cured the servant of the Roman soldier and the Canaanite woman, he gave us an example of being unconditionally pro-life. When St. Paul became the apostle to the gentiles, he gave us an example of being un-conditionally pro-life.
In this year of two-thousand and twenty-three, the Church will need people in action for life, not only pre-born life, but the life of those who in the United States and in the Church have traditionally been at risk of being 'disappeared'.
Rev. Martin Luther King gave us an example of a life poured out for his enemies in the spirit of Jesus.
As St. Paul wrote:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rms. 5:7-8.
Receive at the altar brothers and sisters, the unconditional pro-life action of God for you and me.