Oct. 15, 2014 By Father Thomas Higman “Here’s your sign!” No, this isn’t a review of a particular episode of the Blue Collar Comedy series, but instead a reflection on our role as a Church in raising awareness about the sanctity of all human life. On Sunday, October 5, I participated in the regional Lifechain event sponsored by the Diocesan Respect Life Office in Saranac Lake. Arriving at nearly the last minute after completing my last scheduled Mass that Sunday, I was told, that there was a pile of signs in the band shell, and that I should pick one up, and head out to River Street. Being at the end of the line, like at a covered dish supper or buffet, I became nervous about the remaining choices. There I stood in a moment of decision – which sign to pick? Signs remained which read, “Abortion hurts women”, “Women do regret their abortion” or “Defund Planned Parenthood” – all of which are common phrases and messages echoing throughout the pro-life movement today, but not what I wanted to stand and hold for an hour along the street. Instead, one sign, the only one of its kind left, read, “JESUS Forgives & Heals”—and it dawned on me – “Here’s your sign!” Often enough, since the Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in 1973, there’s a great focus and emphasis on statistical data, facts and figures and comparative charts, which highlight for us the grave nature of this situation in our country. Yet, while these facts are valuable, in that they don’t lie - this is not the final analysis. Early on in his pontificate, Pope Francis reminded Catholics not to focus simply on the hot button issues, understood to mean the deluge of data – but instead, to consider the larger context of these issues, and show forth a Church whose sign reads, JESUS Forgives and Heals. There is no doubt that the Catholic Church has been and will remain the greatest champion for human life, however, as his mystical body on earth, the Church along with the truth – must also show the way and the life. First and foremost, the Church participates in Christ’s mission of redemption through the sacrament of reconciliation. A statistic known now only to the heart of God; Christ’s mystical body on earth, through the ministry of unworthy ministers, stands ready at a moment’s notice to offer this mercy and new life to the humble contrite heart. Ready also are programs and retreats such as Rachel’s Vineyard and Project Rachel, developed with the help of skilled professionals - medical doctors, psychologists, priests, religious and lay faithful - to assist in the ongoing healing needed from the scourge of abortion. As Archbishop of New York, John Cardinal O’Connor (1984-2000) acknowledged this need, and said, “Recognizing that many abortions are the result of fear, poverty, or the inability to find help . . . I announce that any woman from any race or religion from anywhere, pregnant and in need, could come to me: that we would ensure free medical care, hospitalization and legal assistance and counseling either to keep her baby or offer it for adoption.” JESUS Forgives and Heals. In the sixteenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the need for a sign. He says that “an evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign” and that no sign would be given “except the sign of Jonah.” Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights – and Jesus in the sleep of death three days, and to some seemed hopeless, but Jonah from the fish, and Jesus from the heart of the earth came to show “the way, the truth and the life.” Here’s your sign, forsaken in death, but raised in glory: JESUS Forgives and Heals!
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