9 Days for Life: Day V

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For each day of 9 Days for Life, I want to write down some of my thoughts in each stage. Here is what Day Five looks like.

Intercession: Today's intercession is for "an end to legal abortion in our nation and for the conversion of all hearts, so that the inherent rights of every human being--especially those most at risk of abuse and rejection--will be upheld."

Today, 22 January, is the 41st anniversary of Roe v Wade. As has been the case every year after, March for Life is occurring today in Washington DC. I really want to make an effort to go next year, but for now I'm home, joining the March in prayer and rapidly refreshed Twitter feeds. Let us pray--in addition to the Our Father, three Hail Marys and Glory Be which go with each day of this novena--for the safety of those traveling to and participating in the March, for converted hearts of those in DC and around the world who witness our action and for an end to legal abortion.

Reflection: Today's reflection is on the anniversary of Roe v Wade and on today's Gospel Mark 3:1-6.

The USCCB writes, "Our laws now make it legal to destroy life by abortion, by abortifacient drugs, in destructive embryo research, in the course of in vitro fertilization procedures, and in some states by assisted suicide and the death penalty. How Jesus must grieve over this culture of death!" This is the truth we must communicate and the circumstances in which we must defend life the most. May we not casually identify with the "pro-life" movement, but be committed to life in every moment of our own.

If you're seeing this early enough, you can follow EWTN's livestream of the march for life here:

Act of Reparation: Today is a day of prayer and penance for restoration of the right to life. Step out of your comfort zone and witness publicly to life in a march or rally, or call your elected representatives to ask them to promote policies and laws that respect life.

I can get on my blog or Facebook or Twitter, but there is always more we can do to. Eric Cantor, the House Majority Leader, announced a vote on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act next week. I'm hoping my representatives will be backing this act up. You can contact your representatives here.