The Culture of Death suffered a sound defeat in the United States elections held this week. Praise be to God! Praise also to the American people for seeing through the immoral and unjust policies thrust upon them by immoral and unjust politicians and rejecting those policies at the polls.
In the run-up to this year’s election, Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, running for President, amplified the claim, without proof, that women are dying from “Republican” abortion laws, even though no state prohibits life-saving care for pregnant women. Harris also firmly rejected any religious exemptions for Christian (read that, Catholic) institutions in federal government programs where abortion rights are an issue. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, argued in favor of the late-term abortion law that he signed into law in Minnesota. This law has no limits on abortion at any stage of pregnancy, even at birth.
These immoral policies, and others put forward by Harris and other Democratic politicians, were soundly rejected by the American people on November 5th. In Florida, supporters of a state abortion amendment ran a campaign funded by more than $118 million. In contrast, the principal pro-life campaign committees had only $12 million in funding. Similar funding disparities were seen in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Pro-life forces prevailed in all three states.
These polling results are indeed encouraging. But the battles to support life from conception to natural death will continue.
Today, I want to discuss the sacredness of human life at the other end of our time here on earth, when we are approaching natural death. The source of human dignity lies in the reality that God became man to save us and calls us into communion with him. The Good Samaritan, who goes out of his way to aid an injured stranger, shows us what it really means to fulfill the commandment to love our neighbors. Despite our best efforts, it can sometimes be difficult to recognize the profound value of human life when we see life in its full weakness and fragility. That is true of human life in the womb, but it also is true when we are no longer able to care for ourselves in old age. Yet, the faithful care of human life until its natural end is entrusted to every one of us.
Death is a decisive moment in our encounter with God. Helping our neighbor to prepare for this moment is a supreme act of charity, encompassing the patient with the solid support of human relationships to accompany them and help them be open to hope. The Church learns from the example of the Good Samaritan how to care for those who are sick or dying, respecting and defending every human life. Each of us is invited to imitate the Samaritan’s example when Jesus tells us to, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
The Good Samaritan shows us that our relationship with our suffering neighbor should embrace the qualities of attention, listening, understanding, compassion, and accompaniment. We need to learn how to look upon our own existence and that of others and to recognize that every human existence is a unique and unrepeatable wonder, one to be received and welcomed as a gift. As Catholics, we are invited to remain” at the side of a suffering person, just as the Blessed Mother and the beloved disciple remained at the foot of the Cross. Their example provides a way to understand that, even when it seems that there is nothing more to do, there is much more to do—because “remaining” by the side of the sick and dying is a sign of love and of the hope that love contains. Healed by Jesus, we become men and women called to proclaim his healing power and provide care for our neighbors, our loved ones, until the very end.
During this month of November, when the Church calls us to remember those who have died with the sign of faith on their souls, is also a time when the Church calls us to not forget those still living.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!