Often we might look at the sad state of our world and lament how corrupt it is, wishing that society would simply change.
St. John Paul II had similar thoughts, as his heart ached to see the world in so much turmoil. Yet, he knew the central key that would pave the way to renewing society.
He explains in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae that supporting mothers and protecting the unborn would lead to a renewal of our culture.
John Paul II was unwavering in his belief that a society that destroys the unborn can not truly progress in the common good.
He even goes farther to say that, "There can be no true democracy without a recognition of every person's dignity and without respect for his or her rights."
This doesn't mean that every other social justice issue should be thrown out the window. On the contrary, it simply states that we must have a consistent "whole life" outlook on promoting the common good.
We must work for the poor, but also for the unborn. Even more importantly, we should do everything we can to support mothers and encourage them in their time of need, making the need for abortion entirely absent.
It is a complete view of the issue, one that recognizes and prioritizes the protection of the unborn. If we do not respect the basic human right to life, how will we respect the poor or the elderly?
Let us resolve to do all that we can to protect the unborn first and foremost, but not forgetting the human dignity of every person, from conception to natural death.
