Our theme for Respect Life Month is “Made for Greater Things!” This message of love comes directly from Archbishop José H. Gomez, in his second Pastoral Letter ‘For greater things you were born’ he writes:
“Nothing can contain our greatness! What a statement. The first disciples lived their Christian identity and proclaimed their faith with this overwhelming sense of astonishment. And so should we, my brothers, and sisters! It is time for all of us in the Church — bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, consecrated, religious and lay people — all of us should be alive with a new sense of awe at our greatness in the eyes of God.
We must learn again to see what the saints can see — that the human person is something marvelous in the universe. You and I are God’s masterpiece, each of us made in his image as a unity of body and soul, endowed with reason and free will, and given the vocation to imitate God and to share in his divine work, serving and ruling over his creation.
We are made in the image of the Lord of history, the Author of Life, the Maker of heaven and earth! God is Love and so we are made in the image of love. I have always appreciated the poet Dante’s description of God as “the Love that moves the sun and the other stars.”
Nature’s designs speak to us of God’s love and truth; and our existence is part of God’s plan of loving goodness. The human person is exceptional, we are not just one more creature in God’s creation. We are not just something, we are someone.”
Nuestro tema para el Mes Respetemos la Vida es “Creado para lo Grande!” Este mensaje de amor viene directamente del Arzobispo, José H. Gomez, en su segunda Carta Pastoral ‘Ustedes nacieron para cosas más grandes!’ el escribe:
¡Nada puede contener nuestra grandeza! ¡Qué afirmación tan impresionante! Los primeros discípulos vivieron su identidad cristiana y proclamaron su fe con este abrumador sentimiento de asombro. ¡Y nosotros también deberíamos hacerlo, hermanos y hermanas míos! Es tiempo de que todos nosotros, quienes formamos parte de la Iglesia —obispos, sacerdotes, diáconos, seminaristas, consagrados, religiosos y laicos— seamos vivificados por un nuevo sentimiento de asombro ante nuestra grandeza a los ojos de Dios.
Debemos aprender de nuevo a percibir lo que los santos pueden ver con claridad: que la persona humana es algo maravilloso en el universo. Ustedes y yo somos la obra maestra de Dios, cada uno de nosotros fue hecho a su imagen como una unidad de cuerpo y alma, dotado de razón y libre albedrío, y con la vocación de imitar a Dios y de compartir su obra divina, sirviendo y gobernando a su creación.
¡Estamos hechos a imagen del Señor de la historia, del Autor de la Vida, del Creador del cielo y de la tierra! Dios es Amor y, por lo tanto, estamos hechos a imagen del amor. Siempre he apreciado la descripción que el poeta Dante hace de Dios como “el amor que mueve el sol y las demás estrellas” .
Los designios de la naturaleza nos hablan del amor y de la verdad de Dios; y nuestra existencia es parte del plan de bondad amorosa de Dios. La persona humana es excepcional, no somos meramente una criatura más en la creación de Dios. No somos sólo algo, somos alguien.
Resources 2023 || Recursos 2023
English Resources (Download the PDF’s)
- Poster
- Prayer Card
- Intercessions for Respect Life Month
- Bulletin Announcements
- Questions for Discussions
Recursos en Español (Descarga los PDF’s)
If your parish needs printed materials for Respect Life Month please contact the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace:
Contact: Gina Vides at gvides@la-archdiocese.org or (213)637-7690
Click here for more information.
Resources for Reflection and Discussion
Abortion
Abortion Every human life is sacred. The dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for societ... READ MORE »
Economic Justice
Human dignity comes from God, not from nationality, race, sex, economic status, or any human accomplishment. We jud... READ MORE »
Faithful Citizenship
“Our redemption has a social dimension because “God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person,... READ MORE »
Racism
“But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes gr... READ MORE »
Forgiveness and Mercy
“God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14).... READ MORE »
Mental Health and Loneliness
So many people in our world are struggling with mental health issues, depression, anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness... READ MORE »
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