Reminder- This Sunday is "Evangelium Vitae Day"

The value and defense of human life is a key part of the Year of Faith. To highlight this message, the Vatican is focusing its attention on a document issued by Pope John Paul II back in  1995.

Reminder: This Sunday morning, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square, with movements and associations that promote the defense of life. It's all part of the Evangelium Vitae Day, which translates to 'The Gospel of Life.'

The encyclical  entitled 'Evangelium Vitae,' which translates to 'The Gospel of Life.'  Its importance is widely recognized, especially now, issues like abortion and euthanasia are debated.

Since Sunday is "Evangelium Vitae Day", it may be good for all SFO  communities and/ or individuals within these communities to focus on this theme this coming Sunday. The following may prove helpful.

 

The Vatican's Summary of Evangelium vitae is available here at his link: Catholic Culture

Themes: 

1)  Present-day Threats to Human Life The first chapter of the papal document is devoted to an analysis of the lights and the shadows of the present-day situation with regard to human life. 

 

2) Life as Gift

The second chapter is in the form of a meditation on the Christian message regarding life. In fact, "the Gospel of life is something concrete and personal, for it consists in the proclamation of the very person of Jesus"

 3) Life as Responsibility
 
As a precious and fragile gift which is meant to bear fruits of love, life is entrusted to man's responsibility. 

4)   Life as a Task to Be Promoted

But the commandment "you shall not kill" establishes only the point of departure of a journey to true freedom, a journey which must lead to the active promotion of life, the development of attitudes and modes of behavior which serve life.