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Vulnerability and the uniqueness of every human being

Apr 9, 2015

By Dave Andrusko

differentabilitiesThis is the final post of Thursday’s National Right to Life News Today, and it is very brief.

It is an excerpt from “Vulnerable, Yet Strong,” written by Kimberly Baker. It appears on the Life Issues Forum of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities page.

As it happens I read this just after I encountered the lovely stories about the new book, “One Day Young,” which are photos taken of mothers and their babies in the first 24 hours after birth. Ms. Baker’s commentary was written last week, but the two narratives complement each other perfectly.

The pro-life perspective does not fear vulnerability in the human condition — it embraces it. A culture of life does not pressure people to live up to an artificial standard of health or physical perfection in order to feel a sense of self-worth and purpose. Rather, each person is regarded as special and unique, as a gift to the community in a profound way, no matter their state of health and mental or physical abilities. A society that reaches out to and accompanies its weaker members in their suffering and vulnerability is a truly strong and courageous one.

Our acceptance of our vulnerability, individually and as a society, is the measure of our humanity. Let us remember how immensely we are loved by God – especially when we are vulnerable – and how greatly we are valued in his eyes, no matter our physical or social condition. As we meditate on the suffering of Christ during Holy Week, let us not be afraid to walk in his footsteps as we spread this beautiful pro-life message to others. For in Christ we have our greatest example of someone who could be vulnerable, yet strong.

Categories: Life
Tags: life