Not Everyone Is Prolife...

This is the response I got from an immediate family member a few days ago. It stemmed from a discussion we were having about a woman my relative knows. This woman is pregnant but also has Multiple Sclerosis. My family member proceeded to list all the ways that this pregnancy could worsen this woman's already progressing disease as well as leave her bed~bound for the rest of her life. On top of this, the woman in question agreed rather hesitantly to an amniocentesis and the baby has been diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. My response to the baby's diagnosis was, "So?" Not to be cruel and heartless, but to make the point that in the end it is still a person who is entitled to the life God has given it.
To this woman's credit, abortion was never even a consideration. In some ways I am reminded of the story of St. Gianna Molla who chose her child's life over her own. She had cancer and carrying the baby to term accelerated the disease and eventually led to her death. This woman to is willing to ignore the damage done to her own life for the sake of her child's.
It was at this point in the discussion that I got the, "Not everyone is prolife." remark. Unfortunately all I could come up with at the time was my "knee~jerk" reaction of, "Well they should be!"
My family member's remark was one thing, but what really troubled me was the underlying tone of "I'm not sure I buy into this whole prolife thing." That is the attitude I grew up with in this person's house and which I believe shaped my young adult views. Those of you who follow this blog know where that led!
If this was just someone I met on the street saying this, it would still trouble me. However when a family member says it it is even more disheartening.
Anyone who has read or heard my story knows that I was not always prolife either. Through much pain God has worked miracles in me and in my value system.
The reasons for sharing all this are varied. Yes, I needed to vent a bit, but more than that perhaps awareness. We live in a society that has accepted "murder on demand." Many so~called Catholics had a hand in electing a President who seems to do everything he can to promote the culture of death. Too many people have the same laize~faire attitude of my relative~"Not everyone is prolife."Well may all of us who are continue to pray for those who are not.
I commend this woman's courage and love in choosing life and my prayers are with her.

Prayer of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Jesus, I promise You to submit myself to all that You permit to befall me,
make me only know Your will.

My most sweet Jesus, infinitely merciful God, most tender Father of souls,
and in a particular way of the most weak, most miserable, most infirm
which You carry with special tenderness between Your divine arms,
I come to You to ask You, through the love and merits of Your Sacred Heart,
the grace to comprehend and to do always Your holy will,
the grace to confide in You,
the grace to rest securely through time and eternity in Your loving divine arms.

Amen+