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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for June 24, 2006

BABY POWER

"The Lord has spoken Who formed me as His servant from the womb." –Isaiah 49:5

Today the Church celebrates a feast which proclaims the importance of life in the womb and birth. In our abortifacient and contraceptive culture of death, we need constant reminders of the great plans God has for all life, including life before birth.

Our culture, inspired by the kingdom of darkness, emphasizes:

• The womb is tomb. If life starts there, kill it.
• Those who prevent life from starting in the womb through contraception are blessed and successful.
• A pregnancy is a problem, not a blessing.
• Children are burdens both financially and to your lifestyle.
• The more children you have, the bigger your problems.

The kingdom of Jesus, the Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6), emphasizes:

• The womb is a place for God to anoint His servants (Is 49:5).
• In the womb, God's servants work in power (Lk 1:41, 44).
• Those like Mary, who have what the world calls "problem pregnancies," bring life and joy to others (see Lk 1:44).
• Those like Elizabeth, who have what the world calls "high-risk pregnancies," lead others to praise and magnify the Lord (see Lk 1:46).
• Babies, "the fruit of the womb" (see Lk 1:42), are not limited by their confinement in the womb, but evangelize others in a mighty way (Lk 1:41, 44).
• The more children you have, the greater your blessings.

Jesus welcomed children (Mt 19:14). Let us do the same.

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College