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Intention

To live out the simplicity and humility of Jesus in promoting the flourishing of human life.

Scripture

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

– Lamentations 3:22–23

Reflection

How do we, as people of Christian faith, respond to the issue of abortion? The pro-choice advocates have resorted to active, loud and confrontative protests. They have pressured legislators to change laws to favour complete access to abortion, insisting that it is a right of a woman to choose to end the life of the child in her womb. We are aware that they have achieved many of their objectives and abortion is now available on request.

We, as people of Christian faith, are conscious that every human life is a gift of God. God is the giver of life and we are its guardians. Each new life is created as an act of God’s love. God’s creational intent for every human being is eternal life. In every abortion, a human person is denied the opportunity of the adventure of life and the opportunity to choose the path to salvation — and experience it — in this life.

We are also aware that many women who seek to have an abortion do so under many pressures. Many make the decision reluctantly as they see no other option open to them. We know that many will carry deep emotional scars for the rest of their lives.

So, how do we, as people of Christian faith, respond to this great tragedy?

As believers we allow the principals of our faith to guide us. As God is a god of mercy and love, so we desire firstly to reflect mercy and love in our response.

The text from Lamentations reminds us of a truth that is found in sacred Scripture time and time again. We believe that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

God always acts in love. The coming of Jesus which we celebrate at Christmas reveals the character of God. Jesus Christ came in the simplicity and humility of birth in a stable in Bethlehem. Thus, our Christian efforts to promote life are to be marked by a similar simplicity and humility. We are not loud or demanding. We do not apply pressure or force. This is not the Christian way because it is not the way of God.

In coming among us, Jesus showed that he did not demand obedience or submission. He came not to impose but to propose. He declared that there was a kingdom, the Kingdom of God, which offered joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.

In his public ministry Jesus revealed time and time again the compassion of God for sinful, wayward humanity. We think of the conversation with the woman at the well, or his response to the woman brought to him after being caught in the act of adultery.

As people of Christian faith, we look to the heart of Jesus as the guide and inspiration to the way we are to respond.

While we seek to conform our hearts to the heart of Christ in responding to the great tragedy of abortion, we are aware of the growing darkness enveloping our society. As more and more people abandon belief in God, so our society slides down a path where human life is diminished.

Pope Benedict spoke several times about what he called an ‘eclipse of God’. Thus, he commented, “As when the sun is hidden, shadows disappear. Shadows only appear if the sun is out; hence the eclipse of God necessarily entails the eclipse of sin”.

When the sense of God is lost, the sense of man is also threatened and harmed. The Second Vatican Council taught in Gaudium et Spes (n 36): “Without the Creator the creature would disappear”. Sadly, this is what is happening in our society. Without a sense of God, the beauty and dignity of each human life disappear.

St John Paul II, in his great encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) 1995, described the emerging culture of death spreading in many cultures, and urged us in response to foster instead a culture of life. We Christians are pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-family, pro the dignity of every human person. We are for those things that promote the flourishing of human life.

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Prayer

Lord, you are a God of mercy and compassion. Your love for humanity never ceases despite our great sinfulness. We pray for our nation and indeed the whole world that people’s hearts will be moved to see the terrible evil that abortion truly is and that the darkness that covers our society will lift and a new light will dawn. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Author Bio

Julian Porteous was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney in 1974. He served in parishes in Sydney with a special focus on evangelisation. He was the organiser of Jesus Christ at Manly Oval, developed the Pastoral Training School to train young people in ministry, and was Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd. In 2003 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney and in 2013 Archbishop of Hobart. Recently retired, he is now Archbishop Emeritus of Hobart.

Prayer Points for 21 Days for Life 2026

1. The Holy Spirit to transform our culture so that the shedding of this innocent blood becomes unthinkable in Australia. (Micah 6:7–8)
2. The Church be one, praying and advocating for the unborn. (John 17:21)
3. Each church across Australia to become a trusted place of mercy and redemption, so that anyone experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or who has been wounded by abortion will find help, hope and healing. For every church to be an effective House of Refuge for the unborn and their families, and Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation. (Hebrews 4:16)
4. Those considering or wounded by abortion to receive compassionate and confidential care by contacting Pregnancy Help Australia or visiting a life-affirming pregnancy centre. (Exodus 15:26)
5. Walks for life to flourish in every state and territory as a public witness. (Matthew 5:14–16)
6. Australians to vote for and elect bold MPs who’ll stand for and champion the sanctity of life. (Psalm 139:13–16)

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Daily devotions are brought to you by Love Australia in conjunction with the Canberra Declaration.

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