Mike’s Meditations
From Pro-Life to Prostitution Jesus lumped prostitutes and tax collectors together (Mt 21:31 NAB) when speaking of sinful ways. God’s Wisdom compels us not to be lured by prostitutes (Proverbs 9:13-18). As adult Catholics, we realize that “prostitute” in the bible has a much larger meaning than some pelvic sin. It refers to any time we sell our physical, spiritual or emotional body for some type of financial, material or physical gain. As an example, if I put my prayer life, family and/or friends to the side while I work too many hours for financial security, I’m a prostitute. If this workaholic lifestyle causes pain and disease to my body, I’m also a prostitute. Over 17,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the last 6 months; many very painfully and alone. We struggle with decisions of keeping more people safe and yet helping those who have lost income, jobs and businesses. In making these decisions, are we diligent in seeking God’s wisdom and not the world’s? It seems the Catholic Pro-life movement has been very quiet where Covid-19 is concerned. Where are the outcry’s for the lives of the 5 million Americans who have tested positive; many with terrible pain and suffering, many with seemingly long-term damage to their bodies, and the many, mentioned above, who have died? Where are the Pro-life voices demanding safer conditions for those in nursing homes and retirement facilities? Where are our Pro-life Catholics, crying out for safer environments in our prisons and jails? Where are the Pro-life advocates for our tireless doctors, nurses, first responders and other health care workers? And, of course, where are the Pro-life concerns in our parishes
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to financially help those who are unemployed, who can’t pay their rent or mortgage payments, and for many, whose jobs will not return? Why do we not hear Prolife demands for the Church and for Congress to help so many Americans around the country? And remember, it was announced February 13th, before the reality of the virus had reached our consciousness, that American credit card debt was at an “all-time high.” In other words, the economy was nowhere near as strong as people have told us.
Church! They helped each other; they shared their goods, including their money. Should the Church be paying rent and groceries for those who have lost income, lost jobs, lost businesses, and lost a loved one who was also their breadwinner? Should the church be helping re-design prisons, jails, nursing homes, retirement centers, schools, workplaces and anywhere that people congregate because of our Pro-life beliefs? Or, have we aborted these Pro-life values for the value of the U. S. dollar?
In this month of September, I I have, of course, heard many urge you to ask these questions to Pro-life cries to “open up the God himself, rather than request economy.” And yes, I agree, we someone’s human opinion. What need to get as many people back to is God’s take work as quickly as this? Will healthily possible, “...if we make “opening on you dare to sit and as soon as healthily possible. the economy” our focus, with God in the silence each But, if we make haven’t we put the financial day this month “opening the ask him: economy” our aspect ahead of our pro- and God, am I focus, haven’t we put the financial life beliefs? How many Pro-life; or am I a prostitute? aspect ahead of us would argue that Tell him how of our Pro-life you beliefs? How not one unborn baby itfeelmakes to even ask many of us would argue that should ever be destroyed?” the question. Does it make not one unborn you squirm child should ever a little? Ask be destroyed? where that “squirm” is coming from. Yet, are we willing to put a small Sit and listen for his answers. Not percentage of living Americans at only during your prayer time, but risk so we can “open the economy?” Are we putting dollars ahead of lives throughout your day, and maybe even in your dreams at night. But, and justifying it by saying it gives people an income again? Truthfully, be ready, because he will answer you? are we prostitutes; believing that the In a paraphrase of Deuteronomy 30: 15-19, hear God saying: “The virus is dangerous, and yet allowing commandment I am giving you others to be at risk so money can today isn’t too much for you. I set freely flow again? before you Pro-life and prostitution; In a graphic image of the early choose life, that you and everyone Church, we read that not a person else, may live.” was needy, they shared everything in common, and no one said: “that’s mine, you can’t have it” Mike Van Vranken (Acts 4:32-34). Talk about a Pro-life
