Page 159 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

When God invites us to proclaim the Word, the Good News of the dignity of life at any age,
he is at the same time active in the hearts of all people so that the dignity of life resounds in
them. Without this divine action in peoples’ hearts, there would be no real transmission of
the Gospel of Life from one to the other. God’s action in our hearts is necessary to change
them profoundly.

Praying for life is to ask the Lord to enlighten our hearts so that we will always be faithful
servants of life. At the same time, we pray for all humanity and for everyone that this Good
News of life is heard by all. By the intercession of the Holy Spirit, may the Good News of life
resonate in the hearts of all men and women in our time.

We undertake this March for Life during a pandemic in which human life is at risk. One of the
pandemic’s aspects is to show us our fragility, our human vulnerability in the church and in
society.

In the end, when this storm of COVID-19 passes, what will be left on this planet, what will we
hold in our hands?

In a mysterious way, in a certain sense, individuals and their dignity are shaken in their foun-
dation now that they or their families are required to stay at home. But God is always our
protection. Only God has the power to be near any human being, across the greatness of the
earth, the whole planet, and God is at work. God protects us. God enlightens us. God guides
us. God gives us peace.

With the March for Life and the Eucharist taking place online, we might think that our actions
are less important than in past years, as we are physically limited in our actions.

On the contrary, without having wanted it or having sought it and even if apparently limited
in our capacity to organize and show our strength, we were forced to renew our awareness
that it is God himself who saves, that it is God who is at work. The first evangelizer and the
first to proclaim the Gospel of Life is Jesus Christ himself, with the Holy Spirit, who touches
hearts and lets them hold on to the name of Jesus Christ and the name of life in the heart of
each person.

Let us take the necessary time to make this time a time of prayer, a strong time of prayer.
During this pandemic, Pope Francis invites the entire Catholic Church to offer this day as a
day of prayer, of fasting, for works of charity, for the intention of the protection of all humanity
and the fight against COVID-19.
(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 159