Abound in Hope

The following is from a recent email blast sent by the Sisters of Life

John Cardinal O’Connor was a man of hope.  During times of emptiness and apparent defeat in his life, he searched untiringly for the light of Christ.  He brought hope and joy back to life in people.

As we look forward to the March for Life on January 19th, we share with you a short reflection Cardinal O’Connor wrote in the year 2000:

“There is no such thing as a merely ‘annual’ March for Life.  Every march is unique, with its own excitement.  Every marcher, while one with every other, is unique; sometimes one has plowed through ice, snow or bitter rains for countless numbers of years; others are on their first adventure in the March.  All are thrilled. I must confess to a certain bittersweetness about the March for Life in Washington this year, because I was confined by illness and unable to make the trip.  Perhaps I was more effective, however, since I prayed that much more fervently for those physically able to be on hand.  Every year their enthusiasm and their numbers astonish me all over again.  They not only never give up; they increase.  I am not sure they know how to spell ‘discourage.’”  

There is suffering and darkness in our world for which we are called to pray, and to pray fervently.  As we do so, let us, like Cardinal O’Connor, pray with hope.  Let us, like Cardinal O’Connor, look for hope and joy.  God has chosen you – each of us – for this time, and He desires to “fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

March on, Pro-lifers