The Feast of Mary, Holy Mother of God

Let’s pray for all mothers to follow the footsteps of Mary!

January 1st is a special day for the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church: the solemnity of Mary as Mother of God. On the eighth day of Christmas, we celebrate the Holy lady who surrendered her will to God’s will. She, the first Christian ever, chose obedience and universal charity. Her selflessness, fear of God, and sinlessness made her the perfect vessel for Christ to be born. 

Many wonder how God could have a mother since that would imply God would be created. However, Mary is the mother of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh upon birth. Since Christ is God, as one of the three persons of the Godhead, and Mary is the chosen one, she is the mother of God the Son. That is why we acknowledge her as the Mother of God. She is the light-bearer whose “yes” allowed salvation to enter the world for all. 

Mary was betrowned to Joseph for protection since she promised to live a virgin life. Otherwise, her response to the Archangel Gabriel would make no sense since she was already married to Joseph. Don’t you agree? Read Luke 1-2 for more!

As the mother of our Savior, we can learn much from her regarding protecting and advocating for life. Not only did Mary as a young girl, willed to do the will of God and bear His Holy Son with no experience. She trusted in God’s plan even when she had the unexpected task of caring for the second person of the Trinity. Her faith helps her through her role as Mother of God. And through that faith, we discuss the following claims that support the evil of murdering innocent children through abortion.

The Evil Lies of Abortions

Nothing good comes from abortions. As human beings, we should hope that every person, no matter where in their developmental trajectory, is given the right to live. Abortion is not new, but lately, the media has provided a free and prominent platform for those advocates for evil, deceitful purposes. 

Disclaimer this complex topic can erupt in negative emotions. This post intends to bring light to some erroneous claims circulating the internet, not bring blame or shame to anyone. It is important to read this with serene eyes and faithful hearts. 

A Fetus is Not a Whole Person

A fetus is not a whole person = Uhm, what? This is a bizarre claim. I wanted to start with this one because it is the most absurd pro-abortion claim ever. What makes someone a whole person? What does half a person mean? Excuse the ignorance, but this is ridiculous. A person can not be divided into fractions, not even if that person is small and in the womb. A human embryo is a person that, as he or she grows, will have different labels to understand development in the scientific world. A toddler is as much of a person as a middle-aged person with prosthetic legs. 

Most Abortions are in the First Trimester

More than 80% of abortions happen in the first trimester = And? More than 90% of abortions have nothing to do with health risks but convenience for the parents. Does killing a child mean less than killing an adult? No. Again, unborn babies are valuable human beings regardless of their developmental stage. Having an abortion early in pregnancy is still terminating a person’s life.

Abortion can be Reduce Abortion with More Education

Access to science-based reproductive health education and access to birth control is what works to reduce abortion = Western society should take pride in their medical advances. More medications and procedures are available to the public, yet the number of abortions has only increased significantly. There are numerous contraceptive methods on the market, so why are people clinging to abortion? Science-based information is readily available on the internet. Do some research, but also learn to value your human dignity.

We are a mixture of soul, body, and mind. We are gifted, unlike animals, with the ability to build relations with our partners and discern who we will choose to raise children together. It’s a beautiful union beyond mere physical pleasure. However, you are free to make decisions: right or wrong. As educated human beings, own up to the consequences of your actions. It would be silly to be upset if you get shot while playing Russian Roulette. This is why it’s essential to be mature enough to make good decisions and human enough not to put others through death for your selfish well-being. This could be a post on its own, so we’ll continue it another time. 

Abortion is Healthcare

Abortion is healthcare = Here is the definition of healthcare: the activity or business of treating illness and injuries. Here’s the definition of abortion: the intentional ending of a pregnancy. This is the definition of a pregnancy: having a baby or babies developing inside the womb. So how is a life-ending procedure to end a natural and healthy response to sexual intercourse healthy healthcare? Has everyone been living in a vast delusion? Is destroying the natural cycle of sexual intercourse healthcare? Have our bodies been working wrong this whole time? 

No Forced Organ Donation, No Forced Pregnancies

Forced Organ donation = This argument was a favorite because it required more time in prayers to understand. Yes, no one can be forced to donate their organs. It’s a matter of personal conviction to donate an organ. However, being a mother and carrying a child in your womb is not a forced organ donation. A baby comes from a natural reaction to an action in which the woman was involved. It’s a beautiful gift that a new life can exist. However, No part of the pregnancy requires a woman’s organ to be extracted to keep the baby alive.

The mother provides a safe zone for the baby to flourish, yes. This argument, like the pro-abortion movement, is ultimately a mortal question because, theoretically, the mother can neglect a toddler and let it die, but that would be a crime. The crime remains regardless of developmental stage. Here’s the link to an article that describes four other reasons why a pregnancy differs from a forced organ donation. 

A Miscarriage is an Abortion

Miscarriage is not the same thing as murdering a baby. A miscarriage is a natural but unfortunate response to the woman’s body or the baby’s. The desire to kill the baby in the process is not there. If a doctor is contacted, it’s to help the baby survive and keep the mother safe, as it should be. Only God knows why He chooses to take a person’s life early on before he or she can live out in the world. As the giver of life, He decides when to take that life from this earth.  

A Heartbeat is not a Formed Heart

A heartbeat or cellular electrical activity isn’t a formed heart = This claim hoped to diminish the validity of life being present by the second trimester. The cellular activity signifies a living being!! Just because an organ is not fully developed does not mean there is no life. The skull doesn’t fully develop until after birth, and the brain doesn’t fully develop until age 25. Does this mean we are all valid targets for murder because of that? We are all on a journey that requires development through time. You will not see a baby with all adult teeth in an ultrasound, but that does not make that baby any less valuable or human. 

Abortion is the Case of Rape and Incenst

Abortion is acceptable in cases of incest, and Rape = Rape and incest are terrible incidents that no person should ever experience. We can trust that full justice will be served. And God’s goodness will prevail in all situations. Unfortunately, there is no way to undo the damage of a crime, not even through the death of another innocent person who had no say in the crime. No one can undo an evil act through another hateful action. The victims of rape cannot take revenge on the attacker by killing another innocent person. Murdering an innocent child is never the solution. 

A Prayer for Healing

Holy Mary, on your feast as the mother of God, pray for us to be enlightened by the light of the world you birthed. Through you, salvation became available, and now we can live freely. We ask that you walk with us in this life journey celebrating the gift of life from the moment of conception to natural death. Help us to value the gift of pregnancies, even if, like you and St. Joseph, the baby was not in our plan. 

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

Note: Live Action has terrific resources available to help pregnant women.