From Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
Last week, I
started off with campaign rallies in California on Sunday ... and then
spoke at events in Texas and Pittsburgh before heading back to
California for another kickoff event and a march this past Saturday.
Here’s a quick look at my second California visit of the week.
Why two trips to
California? Well, it’s not only a big state ... it’s a big state for 40
Days for Life as well. There are 38 California campaigns going on right
now – more than any other US state.
I visited the 40
Days for Life vigil site in San Luis Obispo ... and took part in a march
to Planned Parenthood led by Bishop Richard Garcia of the Catholic
diocese of Monterey.
Bishop Garcia led the people in prayer and asked God’s blessing over those who gathered – and over Planned Parenthood as well.
In many of the
communities where 40 Days for Life vigils are held, people aren’t aware
that there’s an abortion facility in their neighborhood. That’s the case
in Flint.
“The clinic is only
labeled with an address,” said Tina. “That's why many do not know about
it. Our peaceful witness during the vigil is helping change that.”
People who’ve driven by and seen volunteers praying have now signed up
to be part of 40 Days for Life.
The abortion center
is so well hidden that even a local pastor who lives right down the
road had no idea it was there until he was invited to lead prayer at the
vigil.
“We are required to
stand across a parking lot and cannot get any closer to the clinic,”
Tina said. But in the past year, they have still had five mothers that
they know of choose life at this clinic – including one with twins.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life...
Day 8 intention
May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
-- Luke 10:30-37
Reflection by Fr. Frank Pavone
Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.
But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"
The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.
Prayer
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.
Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day08print.pdf
Day 8 intention
May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
-- Luke 10:30-37
Reflection by Fr. Frank Pavone
Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.
But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"
The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.
Prayer
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.
Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day08print.pdf
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