Blessed be God!

January 22, 1973, is one of the solemn dates in our nation’s history that will “live in infamy.” Today, June 24, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that infamy has been significantly rectified. 

After the deaths of more than 60 million innocent pre-born children, and as the fruit of years of prayer, advocacy and persistent witness to the sanctity of the life, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized its mistaken and costly misjudgment. Roe v. Wade has been overturned! Blessed be God!

Even as we celebrate this victory of life, our hearts today turn immediately to those unborn children who were deprived of the opportunity to live the lives that God had given them. We commend them to the mercy of Jesus our Redeemer, and to his Sacred Heart knowing that “his mercy endures forever.” 

We also commend to his merciful Heart those wounded and grieving mothers, fathers and families who still suffer from the often unspoken and unacknowledged effects of past abortions.

We have an opportunity to lift our hearts in thanksgiving to God for the gift of life and this victory for life. But, it also is an occasion that reminds us of the need for continuing care and compassion for those women who still find themselves in fearful situations due to unplanned or problem pregnancies. 

Most women do not want to undergo an abortion. Many choose abortion because they fear inadequate support in bearing the burdens of pregnancy and bringing a child into the world. The Church and its affiliated helping organizations and agencies, and all who value life, have a responsibility to accompany and support these women. This is more important now than ever! We have to demonstrate our pro-life credentials in caring for life both before and after the birth of a child.

This historic moment also is a time for renewed vigilance. Many are angry and enraged by this decision. Prudence requires that we be on the watch and prepared for possible violence toward persons and vandalism targeting pro-life agencies and churches. But, we need to be spiritually vigilant as well. 

There is more to this battle than meets the eye; more than simply protests and counter protests. The forces of death that have enabled the spilling of so much innocent blood through abortion and other forms of violence are more than economic, political and ideological forces. 

There is an ancient battle raging between the God of life and the enemy of life. Life will be victorious! This supreme court decision, which is a victory for life, will likely draw the enemy of life into more brazen attacks. People of faith who have eyes to see ought to be on the lookout for the deceptions of the one who is known as “the father of lies.” 

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!