this means war
"Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war." —Psalm 144:1
Today is the forty-first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion in the Roe vs. Wade case, a day when war was declared on those who defend life. The Catholic Church upholds the right to life, from conception until natural death. We are the Church Militant, and God has given each of us an important role to play on the battlefield. Governments, courts, industries, and lobbyists are plotting death (see Mk 3:6); we who defend life are plotting the victory of the armies of the Lord.
The abortion industry is Goliath; we who defend life are David. To the abortion industry and its many supporters, we seem to have withered hands (Mk 3:1). We can't even count on fellow Catholics to carry the pro-life vote. Surely those who oppose life regard us as Goliath did David, holding us "in contempt" (1 Sm 17:42).
God is working to train our withered hands for battle, our shriveled fingers for war (Ps 144:1). Hundreds of thousands of hands today are in Washington, D.C. at the March for Life. Many of these hands and fingers will ply the Rosary beads today wielding the weapons of prayer and fasting which will bring down Goliath. With David, say to Goliath: "You come against me with massive funding, Supreme Court authorization, the support of the secular media, and legal backing. But I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies that you have insulted" (see 1 Sm 17:45). Stretch out your withered hands to Jesus; He will strengthen them for this war (Ps 144:1).
Prayer: "Arise, O Lord, that Your enemies may be scattered, and those who hate You may flee before You" (Nm 10:35).
Promise: "The battle is the Lord's, and He shall deliver you into our hands." —1 Sm 17:47
Praise: St. Vincent endured the horrible tortures of his martyrdom by "praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2013
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