We are the Post-Roe Generation

Homily for the Feast of Sts. Philip and James

This morning, I was going to preach on Sts. Philip and James, but the news that broke last night out of Washington, D.C. definitely changed all of that. And honestly, I don’t think the Apostles that we celebrate today would mind.

For those who haven’t heard, last night it was reported that the Supreme Court is set to overturn the decision of Roe v. Wade, the case that federally legalized abortion in our country. The news broke because it appears that a law clerk leaked a draft of the majority opinion on the case that is currently before the Supreme Court, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which is set to determine the legality of the Mississippi state law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Ultimately, the leak should have never happened and I think it will have far reaching, devastating consequences on the Court and the rule of law in our country in years to come. But now that it has happened and if this outcome holds true, our work isn’t over.

So many of us, myself included, have been praying for this day for literal decades. And now that it appears as though this moment is upon us, it means that our prayers and our work are just beginning. We need to encourage our state law makers and even our federal law makers to create laws that defend the sanctity of life from conception through natural death. But we also have to now put our Christian charity to work, we have to put our money where our mouth is and support pregnant mothers at every stage.

I spoke to one of my seminary professors last night and he had a good analogy about this moment. He said: we’re like the coyote that caught the roadrunner. Our work is now more important than ever. Our prayers are now more important than ever. Because rest assured, the Evil One is going to be throwing a tantrum in the days and weeks to come…he’s lost yet another battle if this outcome stands. And he’s not going to lose without raising hell first. So this morning, I’d like to take a moment of silence for prayer.

First, let’s pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for this moment, an answered prayer if it holds true. Pray for our Supreme Court Justices: that they be protected and that they stand strong in this decision. Pray for the rule of law in our country to persevere. Pray for our lawmakers, that they pass further prolife legislation. Pray for mothers-to-be, that they recognize the gift of life within them and that they protect it. But most importantly, pray for the unborn.

Photo by Adam Szuscik on Unsplash. Used with permission under the Unsplash License.