Sanctity of Life Sunday
January 15, 2012 – Madrid, Spain
Following the readings today, we are lead to the truth of God’s plan for us. The Book of Genesis speaks about God creating man, man did not create himself; we are God’s handiwork. God is the source of everything, including our very life. He is the beginning and the end of everything, everything points to Him. Life can only have its true meaning and essence when lived for God.
We are aware of the story when sin entered and polluted God’s good creation, when
the devil deceived the first man; but the reading from Romans tells us, that in spite of sin entering humanity, God will not allow man to be separated from Him. This is because of God’s unconditional love for man demonstrated in the giving of His only Son to die. As a result He gained many sons and daughters. You don’t lose by giving, you lose by not giving.
Today’s Gospel speaks about attitudes we need to have as Disciples of Christ. Previously, there was a squabble among the disciples, perhaps because Jesus paid for the taxes of Peter and not for the rest. We see the attitude of selfish interest for worldly power among His own disciples and this remains to be man's struggle. Jesus points to a little child as the model of true discipleship. Our Lord emphasizes the virtues required for entrance into the kingdom of Heaven, such as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience and willingness to love and to be loved; virtues embodied by a little child. In Orthodox iconography St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as this child and in certain legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the five loaves and two fish.
Several things that happened in the fall are worth mentioning. It subjected man to mortality because sin brought death. Man, suddenly had the propensity, inclination and disposition to sin because his nature has changed and therefore needs regeneration. The fall not only brought mortality and sin but also sweat, toil, hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, pain, suffering, tribulations, tragedy and tears. In Genesis chapter 4, we see the first murder committed by Cain against his brother Abel. Man is trying his very best to counteract and resolve the consequence of Sin in the world using his own way. By doing so, man refuses then to avail of what Christ did on the cross. God knows that He had to give Jesus on the Cross because there was no man, who can repair this problem because as far as man is concerned it cannot be repaired.
Trends come and go, but unfortunately people follow trends to find a sense of acceptance by peers. As Christians, we need to check first if such trends are in agreement with the Spirit of God and if such trends are according to God’s morality. Abortion has become a trend and since it is accepted by everyone we think it must be okay. Fornication or having sexual relationship outside marriage between two people is so rampant. I am not here to condemn anyone. I am here to say that we don’t necessarily have to follow trends. Trends can follow us. What is legal in the world is not necessarily lawful in the eyes of God. John the Baptist confronted Herod the King of his lifestyle and declared it unlawful and the king had him beheaded. We should follow the principles of God. As Christians, we should not think of how God and the scriptures justify and fit our lifestyle but let us allow Him with His love and by the power of the Holy Spirit to change us that we might fit His image and desire.