"Thou Shall Not Kill": Human Life is Sacred

As part of a continuation of postings on Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae I have dedicated this post to one of its major sections, chapter three's "Thou Shall Not Kill."  The aforementioned section goes to the core of why so many of the "culture of death" elements, such as abortion, euthanasia, "reduction" or discarding human embryos in fertility clinics and any and all threats to value and inviolability of life, are fundamentally and morally wrong.  

To begin, the fundamental reason why murder is completely and morally wrong derives directly from God's commandment given to Moses, "You Shall Not Murder (Exodus 20:13) It is a commandment that Jesus reminds the rich man, who asked Jesus as to how he may have eternal life? Jesus replied, "...You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal..." (Matthew 19:18)

Human life is sacred. Why is human life sacred you may ask?  Pope John Paul II answers this question in section 53 of Evangelium Vitae, by directly quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church's Article 5 The Fifth Commandment, which I provide here in full, "Human life if sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being." (2258) Further reading of Article 5 contains information on: respect for human life, respect for the dignity of persons, respect for the person and scientific research, respect for bodily integrity, peace, avoiding war, abortion, euthanasia, suicide and more.

Unfortunately here in Canada, many are deceived by the Evil One, in thinking that threats to human life are acceptable. As Pope John Paul II points out, only Satan delights in the death of the living, he who is "...[A] murderer from the beginning" is also a "liar and the father of lies." (53) With Satan's deception in place many are led down the road of sin and death disguised as roads that help and better life. One such example Satan's deception is the need for abortion in the case of rape. The deception begins first by discarding the right of the unborn's life. Once that is accomplished, it does not take much for the "Father of Lies" to reduce or eliminate the dignity of the human being by suggesting and inspiring for an abortion to take place. If we refer back to the sacredness of life and how God's creating hand is apart of all life, a life conceived even under such brutal circumstances, has a meaning and purpose for God. 

Many individuals in Canada including those in the professional sectors, have also been deceived. In Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II notes how many in society contribute to the death of human beings. Take the example of abortion. We typically tend to place the blame for an abortion on the mother, but what about the father. Is the father not to blame as well, when he puts direct pressure on the woman to have an abortion or when he indirectly encourages such a decision by lack of moral and financial support. (58) Then there is the doctors and nurses, whose training, education and experience are supposed to be placed at the service of life, not at the service of death. (58) How could a medical professional with any degree of integrity, possibly assist in the death of an innocent human being in the womb. What about legislators, who have failed to protect the innocent unborn at law. Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper is just such an example, whose failure as early at 2008 to address the abortion issue in Canada, will have negative ramifications for many years to come.

Society's response to a crisis pregnancy should be one which co-operates with God's plan for humanity by providing financially, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and physically assistance. In so doing, we do our part to ensure the entry of another beautiful life on earth is lovingly received. Some have made this their mission, such as the Sisters of Life, a Catholic women's religious Order, whose organization assists with crisis pregnancies, helping those women understand that they can do this, they are not alone! This year, I created a pro-life flyer on the Sisters of Life, as part of a Secular Franciscan effort.  Please take the time to view and print it out as part of your effort to assist in a crisis pregnancy.

It is my hope that this posting has raised your awareness level and recognition of the value and inviolability of human life, that you will take an active role to spread your awareness and in so doing, perhaps even help save a life!