Following The Master
In the Gospel we see that Jesus didn't hide the reality from his disciples. He pointed out the difficulties, the hardships, and the sacrifices that would be required of those who would follow him. He told them in no uncertain terms that it wouldn't be easy. So they could not complain later on, 'Oh, we never thought it was going to be like this.'
It's possible to be a follower of Christ without being a disciple. One might just be a camp-follower rather than a soldier of the King. One might not be pull ing one's weight, or playing one's part. One might just be a hanger-on in a great work. One might be a talker rather than a doer.
Once someone approached a famous professor about a young man and asked, 'So and so tells me that he was one of your students. Is that correct?' To which the professor replied, 'That man did indeed attend my lectures, but believe me he was never a real student of mine.'
It is one of the supreme handicaps of the Church that in it there are many people who follow Christ at a safe distance, but very few real disciples, that is, people who actually do what he said.
Let's face it. It is not easy to be a disciple of Christ. Discipleship has some practical demands that tone cannot escape under pain of betraying the Gospel. Yet we have many comfortable church-goers who gave little heed to the misery of the needy and the groaning of the poor. Still today the Christian is called to renounce many things that are taken for granted by others.
Some followers melt away as soon as a demand is made on the, like snow before the sun. Others are destroyed by opposition and criticism, like a fickle flame that is blown out by the first gust
What is Day for Life?
The Church has a conststent and clear message on the sacredness of human life. Day for Life is our annual celebration of this message. "Its primary purpose is to foster in individual consciencesm in families, in the Church and in civil society a recognition of the meaning and value of human life at every single stage and in every condition EV 85
The Church has a great deal of experience in all areas of promotion and defending human life and has given the world a lead in the intellectual, political and social battle to save and protect life from conception to natural death.
Why does the Church oppose abortion?
The Church believes that every life has been created by God in his own image and likeness and that all life is scared from the moment of conception to the point of natural death. The Church opposes abortion because it is taking of an innocent human life.
What does the Church mean by pro-life?
To be pro-life means to promote human dignity and development in every sphere of life; to say yes to life. The Church is opposed to all direct attacks against innocent human life
e.g. abortion. abortifacient pills and devices, the abortion pill and the morning after pill, destructive embryo and embryonic stem cell research. genetic engineering, euthanasia, etc, because it believes that every life has purpose, meaning and inherent value.
What can I do?
Learn more about the issues involved: Keep up to date with what is happening in the news on this subject; find out ore on the Day for Life website www.dayforlife.org.
The one thing everyone can do is pray. Pray for all those affected by abortion. Pray everyday for those experiencing a crisis in their pregnancy and for their baby at risk; ask the Lord to touch the heart of the mother carrying this child in her womb and to give her the courage and strength she needs.
Pray for our politicians that they will always keep in mind the sacredness of life in every decision that they take.
Pray for all the victims of abortion, the babies, the mothers, the lathers. the families, the medical profession, our society and ourselves. We are all victims with we live in a society which allows abortion.
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