Reflecting on “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday” has led my thoughts in various directions. Witnessing the overturning of Roe v. Wade in my lifetime is astounding, and I recognize the countless lives saved through this victory. However, the reality of New Mexico becoming a hub for abortion clinics, drawing women from across the United States, weighs heavily on my mind. Despite potential discouragement, I choose to shift my perspective. I believe that God has placed YOU and ME in this great state for a purpose, especially in these challenging times.
So, why should we, as the Church, champion the cause of the unborn? What about their mothers? And their fathers? The answer lies in recognizing that God’s love and purpose were dynamic and present even before our existence in the womb, continuing to shape our lives today! Every life, whether born or unborn, is crafted in the image of God and deserves to be valued.
Here are a few scriptures that make it very clear why.
- For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began. Psalm 139:13-16
- And now listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen. This is the word of the Lord your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb: He will help you. Do not fear Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring. They will sprout among the grass like poplars by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:1-4
- The word of the Lord came to me: I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:4-5
- But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. Luke 1:13-17
- When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. Luke 1:41-44
God’s teachings unmistakably emphasize the immense value of the unborn, and these verses are just a glimpse of many. These verses highlight our collective duty to uphold the rights of the unborn and their parents. This is why we fervently advocate, preach, and vote for those who value life, volunteer, contribute financially, serve, and support families navigating pregnancy decisions— because we prioritize the very things that matter to God.
Reflect today on the profound significance of the Sanctity of Human Life and consider how it personally resonates with you. May you discover meaningful ways to advocate for what holds importance in the eyes of God?