January is Respect Life Month
from A Litany for Life
Based on 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a
Lord, love is patient.
Give to the mother who is tempted to abort her child the patience to endure the suffering that will bring forth new life.
Lord, love is kind.
Give to the new father whose friends tell him to abort his child the gentleness, compassion and courage to support his wife and child, protect them from all that could harm them, and sustain them against selfishness and hate.
Lord, love is not jealous.
Remove from all human hearts the temptation to trade human life for advantage, convenience or personal benefit. Deliver us from the expediency that values personal gain and pleasure over the dignity of human life.
Lord, love is not pompous.
Deliver us from the arrogance that sees our needs or wants as superior to the rights of others. Help us to see all our brothers and sisters as worthy of all of our love.
Lord, love is not inflated.
Grant us a share in the humility of your Son, who sought not to be served, but to serve. Help us to see in every human life, rich or poor, young or old, guilty or innocent, a reflection of your image and likeness.