Le blog de la Bergerie
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Le blog de la Bergerie
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The crowd was vibrant, obedient and friendly (which is a great combination!). The posters along the route say
it all. The weather was cold and wet (I am talking about the surrounding temperature
and the sky above, not the political climate!) but nevertheless, there is
great hope that things can change, people's heart will be softened and more
and more minds will eventually be opened up to welcome Life, to truly promote
it, at every stage of life, from natural conception to natural death. What a day.
It was so encouraging to see so many young and old people walk together, so
many beautiful smiles. I walked with a friend in the front of the March and
I recognized many more friends along the way. The speakers at the beginning
had been very inspiring and the mood of the marchers is more determined each
year.
This year, I ignored the few protesters except for the one picture below:
Someone asked the guy in the upper right corner if he had put up this banner
and his answer was "I am not saying..." Whether he did it or someone else did it, whomever it is, let's pray that their heart be touched
by the Prince of Peace...
The Walk For Life West Coast is the opportunity to take
a stand for life issues and family values, for going against the grain
and walking for the sanctity of life, of every
life. Because the truth is that there is no such thing as an unwanted
life, every life is a gift. Trust that there will be along the way another
family member or a dedicated teacher or a true friend who will see beyond
the surface of things and treasure this life, even if its beginnings seemed
rocky. That's the history of the people of the world! Things can change,
blessings will follow hardships and moments of silence will follow moments
of elated singing. Every life holds so much promise! We need to know this
clearly in our own minds and hearts and to encourage and support the ones
who cannot see it, that is what working for the common good is about,
that is exactly what loving our neighbor should be. Choose Life!
And come and walk by the waterfronts of San Francisco on Saturday January
24, 2009.
One of the biggest lie of my generation, an obfuscate and malicious lie for
that matter (although I must admit it is a very cleverly crafted one and it
can appear so practical!) is the lie that abortion is a question of choice.
I understand that "choice" represents "freedom" and that is why it is ever so
tempting. But the truth is that freedom only exists when both choices are of
the same worth and real freedom implies an awareness of the consequences of
the choices in question and it is always coupled with responsibility. That is
why a choice made under duress is not really a free choice, and that is also
why a choice made under delusion or false pretends is not a free choice either
and this is recognized in legal courts.
Freedom has to be coupled with responsibility, choices and consequences have
to be explained clearly and fully, alternatives have to be offered, support
and compassion for all parties involved have to be part of the whole picture.
In terms of ethics, there are degrees of difference between the one doing a
negative act out of despair in a state of crises, or the one recommending this
negative act in veiled terms, manipulating the truth of the situation, presenting
a tragic choice as an attractive choice, exploiting the vulnerability involved
in the moment. When this person holds a public position of responsibility, such
as a news editor, a university professor, a doctor or a leading politician,
their ethical responsibility is even that much greater.
Copyright©2005-2009-2023Michele Szekely