The Call
— Posted by Christina (September 13, 2009 at 12:31 am)
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying: Master we would see a sign from you.
Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.” (Matt 12:38-39)
This is the Gospel; these are the words of Jesus to a generation that asks Him for a sign. Because for them, He Himself is not a good enough sign.
So how is this related to the pro-life movement? What do we find here that is familiar to us? I would suggest that we are often much like the people in the Gospel who ask Jesus for a sign in spite of everything that He already is to them, and all that He is already doing for them.
So often, before we are willing to do a good work, we want another sign, another probing, another call. So often, it is not enough for us to do a good work simply because we are Christians and are thus already called to great love and good works. We are always saying, “Master, show us a sign”.
And is it not so with pro-life activism and the defense of the innocent and vulnerable unborn children who are daily being slaughtered in our midst? We find it a great difficulty to commit ourselves to the steadfast and whole-hearted work of doing what we can to prevent their deaths, and the ruin of their families. Time and again we acknowledge the truth that we should be doing more, but we don’t really get around to living that out.
We know very well the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”, and we have heard many times the passage from Proverbs 24 that says, “Deliver the innocent who are led to the slaughter”. We know the Beatitudes and the 7 Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and we are familiar with the commandment, “Love one another, as I have loved you”. (John 13:34)
Perhaps we have even read this passage from the “Evangelium Vitae” encyclical of Pope John Paul II: “…every man is his “brother’s keeper”, because God entrusts us to one another.” (Chapter 1, 19)
And yet, so often we are asking for another sign, another call from God to convince us that it is our calling to get more actively involved in pro-life work.
I would like to suggest that we need ask for a sign no longer, wait no more for a call, and look no furthur for a reason! We call ourselves Christians; what more of a sign do we need? We believe the Bible is the voice of God; what more proof must we look for? We want to live the great commandment, “Love one another, as I have loved you”; what more do we want?
These are “The Call”! We should not need or want another sign! We do not need to say anymore, “Master, show us a sign”!
Our Christianity is our sign, our call, to live out the love that we profess for God and for our neighbor. And love that is not tested is not love at all. What true love is there that is only spoken and not lived? I know of none.
Surely we love the dear children who are in danger of being murdered, and surely we love the mothers and families who are in such a desperate and frightened situation that they are about to bring their children to death. And so what are we going to do to help them? How are we going to live out our call to love that is ours as Christians?
We need look no furthur for a sign that we should rescue those innocent children being led to the slaughter, and we need wait no more for a call to reach out in love to their mothers who are in such danger. We are Christians; we are already called! We are commanded to love as Jesus loves us; it’s time to live that commandment that is the heart of who we are as a people of faith.
God bless.
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Ernestine Standberry says:
May God Bless and continue to bless all of you young teens who are standing up for the right to life for the unborn. I am so thankful for all of you. It is youngsters like you all which gives me home in America!
Also please view my video on youtube in re the abortions that I’ve had and how my testimony has helped people. Search…Ernestine Standberry…on youtube. Also see my video on…Healthcare Reform-Ernestine Standberry. We have a teleconference line 218-844-3377 Access Code 77# on Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. central time. We invite you to sign in and give us updates. We need and will appreciate you imput and ideas on ways we can deal with this issue with young people.
God Bless You,
Ernestine Standberry a/k/a “Ms.E”, Director of the International Prolife Federation Affiliate of CFABC and Member of the Englewood Mennonite Church of Mennonite Church USA
832 West 68th Street
Chicago, IL 60619
p.s. Also, please note that Eric, Joe and Ann know me…I’ve been in some of the Pro-Life Action League’s vigils and Face the Truth Day and Tour!
Comment posted September 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Christina says:
Ernestine,
Thank you so much! You are wonderful. Your support and prayers for us are very encouraging and appreciated!
God bless.
Comment posted September 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Ernestine Standberry says:
The following “PRAYER FOR LIFE” was sent to President Obama at Congress.org and to him at Whitehouse.gov. When you search my name…Ernestine Standberry….a separate link has been made from Congress.org. The “Prayer For Life” is as follows:Subject:
“PRAYER FOR LIFE” offered by B. Elaine Bryant, Dir. of I-GRAM
To:
President Barack Obama
January 11, 2010
Dear President Obama PLEASE READ the following:
“PRAYER FOR LIFE
Father, GOD-with-us, because I believe that Human actions to destroy fetuses and embryos in the womb is contrary to your Will, in the name of the LORD JESUS, I ask that the ROE V. WADE Supreme Court decision be reversed. Since I don’t know your timing for that reversal, I further ask that no “Freedom of Choice” legislation be signed by the present President, or any other President, that does not include provisions for medical, nursing, and pharmaceutical personnel or facilities to refuse to participate in the performance of abortion procedures or in the dispensing of substances intended to cause abortions.
Thank YOU, for knowing that you hear and answer Prayers according to the WORDS of promises in JOHN 14:13-14 and 1 JOHN 5:14-15.
Because You love us and know that we, and those we know and care about, carry heavy burdens and have times
of darkness and distress, we pray that You would
REFRESH THY PEOPLE IN THEIR TOILSOME WAYS
LEAD US THROUGH NIGHT TO NEW AND BRIGHTER DAYS
FILL ALL OUR LIVES WITH LOVE AND GRACE DIVINE
AND GLORY, THANKS AND PRAISE BE EVER THINE. AMEN ”
Please note that Min. B. Elaine Bryant is also affiliated with the Illinois Mennonite Conference and is a member of the Englewood Mennonite Church of Mennonite Church USA. The above “Prayer For Life” has also been emailed to President Barack Obama at Whitehouse.gov.
Humbly Submitted,
Ernestine Standberry, Dir. of the International Prolife Federation and
member of the Englewood Mennonite Church of Mennonite Church USA
Chicago , IL
Related Issue Alerts:
• Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform – Catholic Conference of KY
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Comment posted January 11th, 2010 at 12:36 pm