May God's people understand that the Lazarus of the 21st Century is the unborn child, and respond accordingly.
SCRIPTURE
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire."
But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
"And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us."
-- Luke 16:19-31
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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he ignored the other man. He thought that because Lazarus had less, that he was worth less.
He failed to recognize that Lazarus was his brother. Lazarus was waiting at the door of the rich man for scraps of food; the Lazarus of our day, the unborn child, is waiting at the door of the womb for birth itself.
God does not only prohibit aborting the unborn; he prohibits ignoring them.
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PRAYER
Father, I thank you for the life that I possess, and for the birth that you granted me. I hear the cries of the Lazarus of our day; I see them sitting at the door.
Grant that I may never ignore them, and that through this 40 Days for Life campaign, I may stir many others to pay attention to them as well. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINES:
Brisbane, Australia is 15 hours ahead of the East Coast of North America, so it was still Tuesday when the other 134 locations began their vigil. Brisbane leader Brendon reports, "We had about 80 people at our kickoff event and so far we've got most of our time slots filled," he said. "I pray the USA and worldwide event is going well."
Back in the States thing ARE going well...
In Worcester, Massachusetts, Bishop Robert McManus led about 40 people in prayer. Paul, one of the local coordinators, said, "It was the most people I've ever seen there at one time." Reporters for two newspapers were there as well. "We are getting so many new people involved. I think something big is coming!"
Something big is happening indeed. I know that because of my visit to Indianapolis for the kickoff event where 50 people processed two miles to Planned Parenthood -- in the snow!
Eileen reports, "With hearts on fire, they sang and prayed and promised to return often during the 40 Days for Life Indianapolis campaign. Their sacrifice is an inspiration to anyone hesitating because the weather isn't comfortable."
There's something else BIG to report -- the FIRST BABY SAVED from abortion during this brand-new campaign!
Two women were praying at a 40 Days for Life vigil in New Jersey -- for one of them, it was the first time ever. As they were praying, they saw a woman who had just come out of the clinic and was standing near the door. When the women who were praying asked if she would take a flyer, she had a simple response: "I didn't do it! I changed my mind."
WOW!
Chris in Florida was already apprehensive about the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Tallahassee and as she drove up to the vigil, she saw police cars. "My heart started pounding and I said a quick prayer before I got out of my car," she said.
It turned out that a woman had parked in the clinic's lot and went to pay an insurance bill next door. When she came back out, she walked over to the people praying to offer her support. Well, the abortion clinic staff ran out, yelled at the woman for parking in their lot and called the police.
"The police took down information, defused the situation, and were wrapping up by the time I arrived," Chris said. "As the officers left, one of them said we were doing just fine where we were, but he had only one problem with us: 'You're only here during Lent!' What a great affirmation of our effort!"