choose life in the spirit
"So has the Lord done for me at a time when He has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." —Luke 1:25
God, Who is Life (see Jn 14:6), transforms the world and frees us from the power of our enemies by giving life. For example, He gave life to Samson (Jgs 13:3), John the Baptist (Lk 1:13), and each of us to save lives. When Jesus, Who is Life, was conceived and delivered in birth, Life entered the world in such an astounding way that It conquered death.
Along with giving us life, God gives us love, that is, commitment. For example, both Samson and John committed themselves to the Lord by taking the Nazirite vow (see Jgs 13:5; Lk 1:15). The Lord changes the world through committed lives of love united to His perfect act of love on the cross.
The Lord not only gives us life and love but new life and unconditional love in the Spirit (see Jgs 13:25; Lk 1:15). The Holy Spirit renews the face of the earth (Ps 104:30) by giving us life in the Spirit, Who is God (2 Cor 3:18), Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and Life.
Don't be contraceptive and abortifacient. Choose life. Don't be unforgiving and selfish. Choose love. Don't be stiff-necked and stubborn. Be docile to the Holy Spirit, and change the culture of death into a civilization of life and love in the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, in these last days of Advent, I will die to myself so as to choose life.
Promise: God Himself "will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord." —Lk 1:17
Praise: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a Sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence, the nations bow down in worship before You. Come, let nothing keep You from coming to our aid."
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape The Contraception of Society on audio AV 67-3 or video V-67.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002