No News?

Life advocates march in downtown San Francisco
(C) 2013 On Being Roman Catholic in America

Despite some 50,000 people in support of life flowing like a river down Market Street in San Francisco, California, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on January 26, 2013, it hardly made the news at all. 

Odd.  No news?

First, news because the event marked the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade 1973 legal ruling by the United State Supreme Court that set into motion the legal-ized killing in the United States of an estimated 55,000,000 human lives to date--with no end in site. 

Second, news because the number of life advocates continues to appear on the rise in polls and, over this weekend, in person.  In Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 25, some 500,000 people marched in protest to the steps of the United State Supreme Court.  The next day, on the West Coast, in the City of Saint Francis, some 50,000 showed up, but, thanks to the mainstream media, unaccounted for.

Third, news because technological changes, such as 3-D ultra sound imaging, is offering stark truth about the reality of abortion on demand.  And changing hearts--and minds.

Fourth, news because a growing number of young women--and young men--are rejecting the false truths of our "culture of death"--as evidenced especially in advertising, movies, television, and video games--in favor of choosing life.

Fifth, news because recent legal decisions and legislative actions are, at last, beginning to cause the unravelling of Roe '73.

At least five news angles for a thoughtful exercise in journalism.  And here's one more:  the fact that there was hardly any reported news over this weekend from our "Fourth Estate," well, that's the real story!   Need pictures?

Hold the press!

-30-

JMJ

Creche at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Pismo Beach, CA
(c) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

JMJ - Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  The Holy Family.  Years ago, and perhaps still today, Catholic school children wrote JMJ across the top of every paper.  The Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen popularized JMJ as he wrote the initials across the top of the blackboard during his weekly television series.  Once, as he "signed in" as a guest on the popular television show, What's My Line? he wrote JMJ and then his own name.

The Holy Family--Jesus, Mary and Joseph--models the love of the family unit, which instructs us in the perfect Love of our Triune God found in the relationship of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  During Christmastide, we are reminded of the formational love of the Christian family, which love, by its example, teaches us to reach out to all "men of good will."  

In establishing the tradition of the nativity scene, St. Francis continues to teach the world about the love of the Holy Family.

End of Days

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

Some said the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world, but doomsday, December 21, came and went.  But not without incident.  In this part of the world, a beautiful rainbow painted a glorious arch across the early morning sky.  A sign perhaps.  As the story goes, after the Flood, the rainbow was given as a sign of the Creator's covenant with Noah for a New Beginning.  (Gen. 9:13-17.)  Only hours from now, if we open our hearts, we may find another sign of a New Beginning:  A Child in a manger.  (Luke 2:7.)  A sign of New Life.   Of Hope. 

Emmaus

As the story of Easter continues, we hear today about the sojourners on the road to Emmaus, who, eventually, recognize Christ in the breaking of the Bread. (Luke 24:13-35.)   As Catholics, we re-live the Emmaus experience in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: The Word of God broken for us, to feed us, in the Scriptures and in the Holy Eucharist. Emmaus remains, then and today, a place of faith.

From Out of the Shadow

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

From out of the shadow of the Cross, our Hope is revealed in the Risen Christ.   (1 Cor. 15:14)