I am the way, the truth and the life. ~ John 14:6
 
Being a Christian is not simply holding to a set of beliefs.  Being a Christian means being a disciple, a student-follower of Jesus.  It is a way of life that aims to learn about Jesus and His Church and then follow the path He offers, an alternative to many others in this world.  Above all, being a Christian is a way of life.
 
Next Sunday, October 4, is Respect Life Sunday.  This begins Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church.  The theme for this year’s respect life month is “Live the Gospel of Life.”  Living the Gospel of Life is one way we live our Catholic faith as a follower of Jesus in His Church.  The Gospel of Life encompasses many issues that threaten the sacredness and dignity of human life.  There are many issues such as: abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, assisted-suicide, artificial contraception, in vitro fertilization, and bio-ethical research issues, racism, human trafficking, and extreme poverty.  Where the sanctity of human life is threatened, there is a call for all Christians to respond—to live our faith. 
 
This can be overwhelming and complex.  Here the wisdom of St. Pope John Paul II may help.  In 1995 he wrote the encyclical Evangelium Vitae – The Gospel of Life.  Twenty-two years ago he named this conflict between the culture of life and the culture of death.  He recognized the challenge, but encouraged us to be focused on Christ.  He wrote:
 
Faced with the countless grave threats to life present in the modern world, one could feel overwhelmed by sheer powerlessness: good can never be powerful enough to triumph over evil!  At such times the People of God, and this includes every believer, is called to profess with humility and courage its faith in Jesus Christ, "the Word of life" (1 Jn 1:1)
 
The Gospel of life is not simply a reflection, however new and profound, on human life. Nor is it merely a commandment aimed at raising awareness and bringing about significant changes in society. Still less is it an illusory promise of a better future. The Gospel of life is something concrete and personal, for it consists in the proclamation of the very person of Jesus. (29, Gospel of Life)
 
We proclaim Jesus as we live the Gospel of Life.
 
As we enter Respect Life Month, I ask each of us to take one concrete step to “Live the Gospel of Life” in our lives.  First, we must pray.  I need to ask God what He is calling me to do.  Second, listen and consider what we, each of us, will do.  There are many ways to “Live the Gospel of Life”.  Here are just a few.  Pray over these questions:
 
Am I called to learn more about the Gospel of Life and why all these issues fall under the issue of respect life?  Is God asking me to help those who are pregnant and in a crisis situation—maybe by supporting a center like Birthright?  What about witnessing to life in a local effort like Forty Days for Life, is that my call right now?  Am I being called to see, reach out, and affirm (speak, pray for, acknowledge) the dignity in someone who is different from me because of how they look, act, believe, or are able to live and function?  Is God asking me to share my faith with family members by communicating to them my desire that health decisions be made in line with Catholic Church teaching?  (There is a great resource on this provided by the Indiana Catholic Conference and it is available at the parish.)  Is God asking me to learn more about an issue of respect life that seems distant, such as racism or human trafficking?  Both of these issues are real here in Hamilton County.  How am I to “Live the Gospel of Life” in the public square?
 
As citizens, we are all called to be politically involved, and I don’t simply mean casting a ballot.  Political involvement begins with education about how government works, all the issues, and candidates, but continues well past Election Day.  This means contacting elected officials once they are in office and speaking about human life and dignity when legislation is presented.  On a related note, one reason the Catholic Church does not endorse any candidate or party is that, as a Church, we need to be free to speak about all these respect life issues.  So our parish staff, priests and I will not be involved in those discussions with parishioners.  As individuals we all need to let our faith be part of the public discourse.  The document Faithful Citizenship can be found at: https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-peace-human-development/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship.
 
However God may be calling you, make it concrete. Take some step. Consider what steps God is calling you to take this next month.  It is in these steps, however small, we will “Live the Gospel of Life.”  
 
“I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.”
~ St. Dominic Savio
 
Yours in Christ,