A lot to swallow?

(A memorial for the unborn located at Star of the Sea parish)

Happy Respect Life month! =)
"Life is a gift." How many people say that? Now how many people actually stand up and say to the world that all life is a gift from God, much less write a song about it?
That's why BarlowGirl is one of my favorite bands. Not just because their music is great, but because they're willing to stand against the tide of what the world is trying to conform us to. One of their songs is called "Tears Fall", and is proudly pro-life. Alyssa from the band says:

"We’ve always felt very passionate about the sanctity of life. I come from a family with very strong beliefs. Our parents instilled in us from a very young age the importance of callings and destinies. We believe that as human beings created in God’s image, we all have a calling and a destiny. As we’ve opened our eyes to the horrors around us, we can see that one-third of our future population has been brutally killed through abortion. So one-third of our destinies have been killed off. What if an aborted child was going to cure cancer? Did we terminate the life of someone who had the cure for AIDS? Everyone is meant to further the world somehow. In our craving for comfort, Americans have decided it is their right to end someone’s destiny.
I heard a teaching about Genesis Chapter 4 regarding the story of Cain killing Abel led to God saying Abel’s destiny was crying out to him in the original text. I think everyone should have a chance to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. A lot of men and women have been deceived about abortion. We know this is a very sensitive subject for people. We know people who have been through an abortion need healing and we also know that God wants us to protect life."

Here's the whole story.

I once heard someone say that there's a war like never before being waged on humanity; that none of these problems and issues we face today had ever been so strongly imposed. And it's true. When in history have we ever been so unsure about our morals? Do we ever listen to our consciences now, or have we drowned them out? When did the line between right and wrong become so blurred that we're not ever sure how to define life? Or marriage? Or anything else??

This is the world I'm trying to grow up in...and it's a battlefield. The biggest challenge? It's the kind that can't be seen with physical eyes. I know this is probably the last thing you want to read. It's not something I want to acknowledge with either...I've got enough to deal with, being a young person and all! Let's face it, though, running away is one of the things that brought this upon us.

But I'm not giving up hope.

"Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having gird your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."
~Ephesians 6:10-18

I don't know how much good I'm going to do in this; goodness, besides at least two faithful readers, I don't even know who comes here! In the blogosphere, I'm not anybody, really. But I can't ignore everything that's happening around me. I'm probably in for a pounding, but: "There's still some good in this world...and that's worth fighting for."

So, friends. When you're called to fight, would you take a stand? In this battle that's raging over, in front, and in our heads, which side are you going to take?

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Last month, my family and I watched the movie Fireproof over at Pauline Books & Media for a movie night. Even though Valentine's Day was already over by that time, I thought it was the perfect movie for Lent and Easter.

John Holt: Has she thanked you for anything you've done the last 20 days?
Caleb Holt: No! And you'd think after I washed the car, I've changed the oil, do the dishes, cleaned the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude. But she doesn't! In fact, when I come home, she makes me like I'm - like I'm an enemy! I'm not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off! Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her. I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away. I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it. I made dinner for her. I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, Dad. I'm not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?

...but that's exactly what God does for us - has done for us since He created us. That's exactly what we celebrate during the last few gasps in the Triduum and in the great feast of Easter: God's ever faithful Love to those who don't deserve it.
It's obvious that we don't. When Our Lord gave us the most precious gift of Himself in the Eucharist, Judas was in the very act of betraying Him. People rejoiced at his arrival in Jerusalem, only to shout insults and spit on Him on the way to the Cross how many hours later! How frustrating is that?? After God's Son become one of us and spent all those years in befriending and teaching? After all that and only a few had the courage to stand by His Cross at the end?
Yet through all of humanity's failings, such a beautiful thing occurs! God picks us up from out mud heap and washes us clean to shine with Him in the glory of Easter. He scoops us up and brings us to Himself and dances with us around all creation in victory. He pulls us into the celebration of joyful song and dance! Why...? Because that's what - or rather Who - True Love is. Remember Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians on love? God is every one of those definitions. He is pure undying Love holding out His hand.
Now the question is, will you accept?


"Your Love makes me forget what I have been
Your Love makes me see who I really am."



...and it's only with God's Love that we can be all who we were made to be: His children.


Have a Blessed Easter, everyone! ^_^