October is a blockbuster month in the Catholic liturgical calendar. During this month we celebrate the feast days of some of our most popular saints: St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Oct. 1); the Guardian Angels (Oct. 2); St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4); Our Lady of the Rosary (Oct. 7); St. Teresa of Jesus (Oct. 15); St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Gerard Majella (Oct. 16); St. Luke, whose gospel we are reading this year (Oct. 18) and St. John of Capistrano (Oct. 23) to name a few. October also is the Month of the Rosary and Respect Life Month. And, finally, the first Sunday in October, today, is Respect Life Sunday.
In their 2001 Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities the US Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.” Our responsibility toward God is one of the ideas presented in today’s Gospel from Luke 17:5-10. Jesus told his disciples and he tells us, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” Life is a gift from God. In gratitude for this gift, we all should live in obedience to God’s will. This is something we aspire to do. Living it is more of a challenge.
The theme for Respect Life 2022 - 2023 is: Called to Serve Moms in Need. Prominent in the reflection for Respect Life Sunday 2022 are the first two verses of Mary’s great Canticle, the Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46-47). In this reflection we are reminded that, “Mary speaks a message of hope—not only to Elizabeth, but also to every mother in need and to each of us.” It is our invitation to, “step out in love and compassion. It is a summons to make haste to help vulnerable women who may be isolated and alone. By doing so, we too can bear Christ within us and help others experience His presence.”
O Blessed Mother,
you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ,
your Son, with faith and trust.
Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties.
Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities
places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need.
Help us become instruments of God’s love and compassion.
Mary, Mother of the Church,
graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love,
together with all people of good will,
graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love,
together with all people of good will,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
Amen.
Evangelium vitae 105 © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City.
Adapted with permission. All rights reserved.
