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The Gospel of Life

- New Jersey Reproductive Freedom Act
  
  On October 8, 2020, The Reproductive Freedom Act (RFA) S3030 was introduced in the New Jersey State Senate and was referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. If passed, the RFA would codify into New Jersey law the findings of Roe v. Wade, meaning that abortion would remain legal in New Jersey even if the case were overturned by the Supreme Court. The RFA would also strip safeguards and regulations on the abortion procedure, making New Jersey a more dangerous place for women and their unborn babies. The Assembly companion bill is A4848. The Diocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity has been working closely with the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) on this issue to develop resources and monitor the bill. Here is the link to NJ Catholic Conference's updated Reproductive Freedom Act resource page: https:// njcatholic.org/reproductive-freedom-act. Please check this website frequently for updates. Also, please make sure to sign up on the above website to receive action alerts A webinar has been recorded which focuses on providing an overview of the legislation, an update on the bill's legislative status, and suggestions on action steps people can take at this time. This is something you can use to help educate family, friends and fellow parishioners. You are encouraged to watch it so you can understand the radical nature of this measure. For more information contact: [email protected]
- Respect Life Reflection
  
  Twenty-five years ago, Pope St. John Paul II wrote that the Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ saving message to the world (Evangelium vitae 1). In taking on human flesh, dwelling among us, and sacrificing his very life for our redemption, Christ reveals the profound dignity of every human person. This God- given dignity does not change with our stage of life, abilities, level of independence, or any other varying circumstance.
  
  Rather, it is rooted in the permanent fact that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God, created to share in the very life of God himself The human person is a “manifestation of God in the world, a sign of his presence, a trace of his glory” (EV 34). And we must reflect this truth in how we act and how we treat one another.
  
  The truth of the Gospel of life is at the foundation of who we are as followers of Christ. In his earthly life, Jesus provided the perfect model for how we are to love our neighbor and live out the Gospel call: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40).
  
  Jesus calls each of us to “care for the other as a person for whom God has made us responsible” (EV 87). The Gospel of life is intrinsic to the whole Christian life and foundational to the decisions we make on a daily basis. For, “the Gospel of God’s love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel” (EV 2, emphasis added).
  
  In his encyclical on the Gospel of life, Pope St. John Paul II recognizes the full range of threats against human life, from poverty and malnutrition to murder and war. He places particular emphasis, however, on threats to life at its beginning and end— precisely when it is most in need of protection. In modern times, children in their mothers’ wombs and those approaching the end of their lives are certainly among the “least of these” in our world’s estimation. Practices such as abortion a|nd assisted suicide tragically reject the truth that human life is always to be cherished and defended with loving concern.
  
  As the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s prophetic encyclical, let us reflect on how we personally live out the Gospel:
  Do I talk about and act towards others as I would talk about and treat Jesus himself ? Do I inform myself of the Church's teachings and engage in the civic arena as first a follower of Christ? Do I support and advocate for laws and policies that protect and defend human life? Do I help pregnant and parenting mothers in need? Am I ready to support a loved one nearing death?
  
  Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may Our Lord grant us the grace to truly and courageously live his Gospel of life.
  
  Excerpts from Evangelium vitae, © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Scriptural excerpts from Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.