January 19, 2020 - On Life & Family

Dear Parish Family,

There is nothing quite like the smile or laughter of a child! The fullness of expression, holding nothing back… all out there… full of the radiant joy in the moment. The smile of a child is contagious! Children’s laughter makes even the scrooges among us regain the twinkle in our eye.

We are in the midst of our series of family life and today we pause to focus on the child. Although granted, children can become the central focus of family, sometimes to the detriment of the whole family unit. In the order of love, husband and wife must be devoted first to their union and then to the children. To do otherwise neglects the trunk of the tree to concentrate solely on the blossoms. Only a strong and solid tree bears good fruit, and from solid and devoted couples healthy and mature children emerge.

In family life we notice a maxim used by the medievals: bonum diffusivum sui. Goodness of itself tends to spread, translated loosely. Though akin to “laughter is contagious,” more profound implications follow. Goodness cannot contain itself, rather it radiates, spreads, seeks to become known. The Good does not hide but longs and seeks to be known and experienced.

This phrase is true of God, and true of married love. God seeks to communicate himself, to make himself known in the world. The love of husband and wife seeks to be known, desires to manifest itself, most concretely in the new life of a child. A baby is “proof positive” of their love, but more than that. Her presence spurs the couple on to deeper and more meaningful love. His new life draws forth more love, from mom and dad, but also from the whole family and community that gather around in support of the couple. Sure, I am speaking of the ideal scenario, and many babies come into the world with far less nurturing support. Still when we engage with the ideal the divine intention snaps into focus. We perceive more distinctly the handiwork of our almighty Father.

When we discuss babies, everyone is a fan, yet when the topic of abortion is raised, it seems the battle lines are drawn. This week, we commemorate with sadness the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Lately the conversation feels aking to WWI trench warfare, where neither side gains ground. The real life “Roe”, Norma McCorvey, eventually became pro-life and described feeling manipulated by the abortion industry. 

During our week commemorating Our Lady of Guadalupe, we showed the movie Unplanned. I highly recommend it, as it helps those unfamiliar with the abortion industry understand better how powerful and committed they are to perpetuating the right to choose fallacy.

We may have even grown insensitive to the plight of the unborn, so long has the battle raged. Yet the tide is turning. I move to begin a 20 weeks law immediately. We need to begin somewhere. It is unconscionable that wee babies as small as a pound are nursed to health in the hospital, while larger babies are evacuated from their mother’s womb. It defies logic!

Mother Theresa once asked, “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.” Behold the face of the child and see therein God’s goodness spreading in our world. We must strive to defend life. Please consider a prayerful visit to the Cherry Hill Women’s Center, 502 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 - right near Christ our Light Catholic Church. Prayer on the site of abortion clinics has proven be an effective mitigator of the heinous act. Bring your rosary. Be the difference you want to see in the world!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Joel Wilson