Jan 17th

Post date: Jan 18, 2021 6:39:43 PM

January 17, 2021 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

What are we looking for? Jesus is asking.

We need more time to compose an answer. The disciples needed more

time, too. They wanted to spend more time with Jesus and

asked where he was staying. Jesus tells the two future apostles AND US:

“Come and you will see.” Are we ready to follow Jesus?

Today’s first Reading is from Samuel. Samuel was a young boy who lived

in the Temple and cared for Eli the priest. Samuel slept in the Temple

to tend the lamp which burned all night in the Temple.

When Samuel first heard the call, he went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am.’

Eli told him that he did not call him. This exchange is repeated two more

times and finally Samuel understands that the voice is the Lord God’s

gentle yet persistent calling and tells the youth to answer,

‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’

It takes time and grace to understand.

It takes courage to tell God that we are really listening.

Only then can we answer Jesus’ question, “What are you looking for?”

On January 22, 1973 in Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court by a 7-2

decision affirmed the legality of a woman’s right to have an abortion.

In 2003 President George W. Bush signed into law the Partial Birth

Abortion Act. Since 1973 there have been more than 50 million babies killed.

The fact that human life begins at conception is a scientific fact as well as

our religious truth. You can see it in every ultrasound image of a baby.

It is no “mere product of conception”.

Our call to defend human life applies over the entire course of life

from conception to natural death. And this includes prisoners convicted of a capital crime.

Every human life has inherent dignity, inalienable human rights. This is the

very foundation of all Church social teaching, including what we say about

war, capital punishment, euthanasia, health care, poverty and immigration.

We must continue to speak out against injustices like abortion.

We are not trying to win a popularity contest or an election.

We are trying to do what is right and just.

If you happened to vote for a pro-abortion candidate this past November

because you judged they stood for other issues and had other qualities

that would benefit all, consider writing a letter like this:

“I voted for you in the belief that you would serve our country, state and

society well. However, I wish to make it clear that I strongly believe in the

dignity of the individual and the sanctity of life. Therefore, do not interpret

my support as an endorsement of pro-abortion legislation. I wish to

encourage you to consider a pro-life stand during your term in office.”

This anniversary of Roe v. Wade gives us another opportunity to do what

we can to stem the tide and change hearts and minds.

Please do what you can. Write letters. Say your prayers.

And never, never, never quit.