Reflection: Falling off the cliff...

A few years ago, my family visited Yosemite National Park in California. The wonder and awe of God's creation was all around us. I remember a moment when my husband and I stood on a precipice. It was so beautiful but also frightening to look over the steep cliff. Another time, we traveled to Ireland and saw the beauty of God's creation at the Cliffs of Moher. It was breathtaking.

I was thinking about the moment standing on the cliff and about the protection of life in the womb. We see a continual assault on the sanctity of life and the family. It may seem like we are falling off the cliff but we must remember the Lord is with us.

We are greatly saddened by Ireland's vote against the unborn this week. We have turned away from God, the Creator and Giver of all life.

Thus says the Lord, This is what I command My people. Listen to My voice; then I will be your God and you shall be My people. Walk in all ways I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts, and turned their backs, not their faces to Me.  Jeremiah 7:23-28

When this reading from Jeremiah was the daily Mass reading, I recall my former pastor spoke about the words, "turned their backs, not their faces to Me." He said that we turn our backs to God when we sin. He also spoke about how wrong it is when we turn our backs on one another. It is painful to witness the assault on life and family. We have turned our backs on God, the Creator and Giver of all life.

We must remember that we are not alone. God is in our midst. This is a battle of good against evil but the battle is the Lord's.

The Lord says to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at the sight of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.  2 Chronicles 20:15

What can we do to build a culture of life and restore the sanctity of life when it seems like we are falling off the cliff?

Do not be overwhelmed or afraid. Stay close to the Lord by receiving the Sacraments often, obeying the Commandments and praying the rosary every day.

I was thinking about those who climb mountain cliffs. They use safety equipment and they are harnessed to a cord with a hook that can attach to the rock. Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the shepherd children and told them to pray the rosary every day. The rosary is the chain and beads which keep us connected to Jesus and Mary by pondering their lives. We can think about the rosary as the cord that is harnessed to the mountain climber.

We have to remain attached to the Lord in the Sacraments for He is our strength. He is our Rock.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2

Be not afraid of the assault against life and the family. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and Mary. Although it may seem that we are falling off the cliff, remember that Jesus is always waiting, with His hands extended to us. Jump into the arms of Jesus and cling to Him through Mass, the Sacraments and Prayer.

Pray for the souls who have been wounded by abortion. God wants them reconciled to Himself. When these souls are converted, healed and reconciled to God, they will teach others about mercy and forgiveness and the love of the Father.

Kiss of Mercy Prayer
(To be recited after kissing an image of  Jesus)
Jesus I trust in You. May my kiss and your grace, convert, heal and reconcile to the Father, one soul wounded by abortion. (Recite the Hail Mary)
Kiss of Mercy Apostolate for Healing from Abortion