This weekend, we begin our annual observance of Respect Life Month. The Office for Human Life of the Diocese of Cleveland has compiled some excellent resources to guide our awareness, our prayer, and our momentum toward action on behalf of a multi-faceted approach to the issues of Life. The following content is lifted directly from a Parish Leader Toolkit graciously made available from the diocese.
For this first week, the focus is: What is Ontological Dignity and Why Does it Matter? Every Person Has Worth That Can Never Be Lost. The Church teaches that each person possesses a dignity that is not earned, achieved, or dependent on abilities, health, age, accomplishments, or circumstances. This is sometimes called ontological dignity, but in simpler terms it means that your value comes from who you are, not from what you can do. Because every human person is created by God, loved by God, and destined for communion with God, every person possesses an inherent and permanent worth that can never be taken away.
In our culture, people are often valued according to their productivity, intelligence, independence, wealth, health, or social status. The Church rejects this way of thinking. Human dignity does not increase when someone is successful, nor does it decrease when someone is weak, dependent, suffering, or poor. A newborn child, a person living with disabilities, someone suffering from dementia, a prisoner, a migrant, a person struggling with addiction, and a saint all possess the same fundamental dignity because they share the same humanity.
Spotlight Issue: Abortion…The clearest example of ontological dignity. The question is fundamentally: Does every human being possess dignity simply because he or she exists? This week establishes the foundation upon which all the others rest.
Questions for Reflection:
• Do I truly believe that every person—including myself—has dignity simply because they are created, willed, and loved by God?
• What assumptions or attitudes prevent me from recognizing the God-given dignity of every human life?
• How can I better affirm and protect the dignity of those who are most vulnerable in our community?
Education on issues is vital. The Diocese of Cleveland suggests, as one opportunity for concrete learning, a consideration of “Poverty and Abortion.” Here is a link to an article on this matter: https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/poverty-and-abortion-vicious-cycle
Given that our parish is directly under the patronage of Our Blessed Mother, the following invocation is most appropriate for our prayer this week:
Marian Dimension: Mary first receives life. Her motherhood reminds us that every human person begins as a gift entrusted to others.
“Mary, Mother of all Life, help us to respect human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.”
Please note: From Tuesday afternoon, October 6, through Friday afternoon, October 9, most priests of the Diocese of Cleveland will be at our bienniel convocation on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Deacon Bob will lead Communion services on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 8. There will be NO MASS on Friday, Oct. 9.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
