Respecting Life and Faith

October is Respect Life Month and today is Respect Life Sunday.  In Rome, the Synod on the New Evangelization is under way and on Thursday, October 11, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Year of Faith will begin.  There is no doubt that with the rampant secularism that has gripped Europe for a long time, and which is making frighteningly fast inroads into America it is time for action.  A deeper understanding, and for many even just a basic understanding of our faith coupled with, as Ralph Martin, President of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Michigan and leader in the charismatic movement since the '70's, puts it, "a new Pentecost" is needed to reverse the trend, put people back on the right track and take care of the offshoots of faithlessness, abortion, mercy killing, violence and a total disrespect for life.  Despite the weakness of our wounded nature, we can move ahead to a period when our faith informs and influences our actions and restores respect for one another and for life itself. .  Today's readings (Gen 12: 18-24, Mk 10: 2-16), talk about the purpose of marriage, marital fidelity and Jesus' love for children and the vulnerable.  He chides the apostles from trying to block his contact with them. When we "love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us." (1Jn 4: 12).  In this next year, we are to remove the blocks that have crept up between us and our loving Jesus
Bro. Rene