The Gift of Life: Weekly Message for 01-19-16

This Friday, hundreds of thousands of people will brave the winter elements to participate in possibly the largest annual protest march in our nation’s capital. The “March for Life” in Washington, D.C., is a peaceful, joyful rally of young and old drawing many faith traditions together. As we pray during the gathering that all human life be blessed and held sacred, we also give witness in an active and concrete way to the gift of life we have received from the gracious hand of God. 

Even if you can’t travel to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., please join us spiritually during the Nine Days for Life from January 16-24, 2016. During these Nine Days, we focus on prayer, penance, and pilgrimage. It is a special time to let our prayers rise like incense to Heaven, given that the Nine Days for Life coincides with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from January 18-25, 2016. Christians around the world take part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity, with this year’s theme of “Called to Proclaim the Mighty Acts of the Lord.” (cf. Peter 2:9). Peter’s letter encourages us to draw deeply from the grace of our baptism to participate in the act of proclamation, calling all the baptized to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord. 

The March for Life reminds us that in order to rebuild a culture of life and Christian unity, we must begin with an authentic, interior spiritual renewal. To be instruments of peace, love, joy, hope, forgiveness, and mercy we must first be deeply committed to a life in Christ through prayer and the sacraments. 

At RC Spirituality, we hope that our resources help you to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord. By sharing a Retreat Guide or our newest feature, a shorter Spiritual Smoothie video, you can invite others to taste the goodness of God, and hunger for more of His divine life.