Life Reflections™

Unthinkable Determination

Maryland's history is deeply rooted in the faith of the original settlers. Our "Free State" made American history proclaiming and legislating religious freedom. All of us are blessed by the faithful and prudent actions of those before us. Their leadership was visionary, innovative, profound, liberating and integrated for and to the person. Today, as a people with a collective heart, will we rise to this high standard? As bills concerning innocent human life are brought to the floor of the Maryland Legislature, can we soften our hearts, and listen to our consciences concerning the primordial essence of life itself?

In the 2005 Legislative Session, we must place a high value on innocent human life-over-business, statesmanship-over-politics, communion for the common good-over-individualism, and conscience-over-desire for elusive popularity.

Wesley Pruden, the Editor in Chief of the Washington Times, in his Friday column last week, quoted Hillary Clinton recently saying: "I, for one, respect those who believe with all their hearts and conscience that there are no circumstances under which any abortion should ever be available."

Given Senator Clinton's well-known and aggressive pro-choice positions, is it possible that "values voters" have helped soften her previously unbending positions or that conscience—the voice of God—has opened her mind and softened her heart (even if ever so slightly) in the pursuit of truth? Or some combination of both?

The Cross of Jesus Christ included a perfect integration of faith and reason; shouldn't leadership in Maryland always include an over-riding spirit of truth? By opening the doorway to conscience, we become connected to a pursuit of faith and reason in the spirit of truth which aligns with protecting innocent human life. Otherwise, we have life-damaging inconsistencies.

An unthinkable determination to get Himself on His Cross was the way to redemption for all of us. The perfect leadership of Jesus Christ is a part of our yearning for God, is a part of our personal consciences, is a part of our inner desire to use our God-given gifts in communion with others as we live our lives today.

As our legislators submit and negotiate bills concerning innocent human life in 2005, let us be mindful that all hearts in the Maryland Legislature—and in their constituencies—need to continue to soften for innocent human life.

Please visit www.prolifemaryland.org to find out more about our work to soften hearts for the innocent.

Prayer of the Faithful
Almighty God, all of us working for and with Pro-Life Maryland ask for your divine help in the urgent and enormous task of changing the current culture in Maryland to a Culture of Life. Please illuminate our minds and strengthen our wills to achieve our mission. Please help us accomplish our critical and urgent work with purity of heart and intellectual integrity as we pursue truth—in communion with others—to provide paths, to the Road-to-Jericho Continuum, for protecting and saving innocent human life by softening hearts. Amen.

Anthony R. Souza, MTS
President & CEO