From 2001 Space Odyssey
Twins
From conception through to death and eternity, God expects us to fully respect all life, no exclusions or exceptions, whether that life is guilty or innocent, or even a threat to our own life. Violence and killing are never justified, not in war, not in self-defense, not in abortion, not in euthanasia, never for the “greater good.” When does Jesus, by word or deed, ever justify violence? He does not. He says and lives the opposite—complete unconditional love of friend and enemy. This is the truth at the center of our Christian faith, often hidden by society and church, down centuries of misconception.
From Mennonite site--mennolink.org
f we are to become true evangelists, proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must re-discover and celebrate the central truth—nonviolent love. If “nothing can separate us from the love of God,” why would we ever need armies, handguns or abortion machines? Offering only a false promise--preserving the way of life of our worldly kingdom--they are all severe impediments to the coming of God’s Kingdom. O God, we are of little faith—help our unbelief.
Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
We are each and every one of us fearfully wonderfully made. This cold month of January, please attend a Right to Life march, and attend a march for justice & against war as did Martin Luther King. Respecting all life, praying without ceasing, we can end all justified killing, these uncounted desecrations of body and soul.
For more on the difficult beauty of God's unconditional all-merciful nonviolent love, see the many articles on Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy's website, especially his "Abortion & War."
http://centerforchristiannonviolence.org/other-resources/
Illumination by Kathy Brahney
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