"Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" will be celebrated in many churches on January 19 this year. The event was a response to the Roe v. Wade decision January 22, 1973, which legalized abortion nation-wide in the United States. The Supreme Court decision was revisited and overturned June 24, 2022. However, the need to recognize that each individual is made in the image of God, and to to protect the most vulnerable, is still a challenge.
Theodore Geisel, AKA "Dr. Seuss," published the book, "Horton Hears A Who!" in 1954, well before Roe v. Wade. However, the theme of the story, "A person's a person, no matter how small," applies to the pro-life cause. In the book, Horton hears a small voice emanating from a dust speck. He believes that there are tiny people living there, worthy of protection. Others, who see and hear nothing, deride Horton and actually try to destroy the speck. But, Horton perseveres, stating, "A person's a person, no matter how small." In the end, he is able to show that the tiny "Who People" really do exist, and those who previously bullied him now join in protecting the tiny population.
Unborn babies are not the only ones who need advocacy. A woman who views her pregnancy as a crisis also needs help. A person's a person, no matter if we agree with them or not. A person's a person, even if they are not physically complete or strong. A person's a person, no matter if they have mental limitations, or their memory is fading, or they have mental illness. Being a caregiver for the whole person: heart, soul, mind, strength, is difficult. From time to time, we need reminders to recognize the Divine Image in each person, and encouragement to continue the caregiving journey. Our Father God esteems each person as precious, both the one in need, and the caregiver.
And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
"And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJV
My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Psalm 139: 15-17 NKJV
