40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 8 - Be a Good Samaritan: Do not turn away from those who need our help!

DAY 8 INTENTION

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

SCRIPTURE

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

PRAYER

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.

Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Today's email update -- lots of links in this!

Well, here we are! The first week of the fall 40 Days
for Life campaign is complete.

Since it's been a most incredible week, I'd like to
share some "most incredible" happenings, in
categories large and small.

Weather-wise, we've seen a bit of everything -- warm
in the south, cool in the north, a lot of rain in the
east. But clearly, the honor for Most Incredible
Weather Report goes to Colorado Springs for Day 1 of
the campaign.

"Colorado Springs woke up this morning to a howling
wind," Michele told me. "I looked outside and there
was blowing snow." Snow! The wind died down and the
snow stopped, but it was still pretty cold. But more
than 60 people showed up -- in winter coats, hats and
mittens -- for the opening event of the 40 Days for
Life campaign. "No," Michele said, "the cold won't
keep us away!"

We've seen tons of great pictures from many local
efforts, but the Most Incredible Picture of a 40 Days
for Life Banner Hanging from a Church Bell Tower is
definitely from Pensacola, Florida, where Sacred
Heart Cathedral's very tall banner features the 40
Days for Life logo and a scripture verse, John 10:10
– "I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly."

Go here to see the banner on the bell tower:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292

We also have photographic evidence for the Most
Incredible Falsehood from Planned Parenthood -- the
banner hanging from the walls of an abortion center
in St. Louis with the message, "Defend the truth."

Click here to see the abortion center's banner:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292

Defending the truth? That's what YOU are doing!

Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion
chain and despite the constant claim that Planned
Parenthood somehow "reduces abortions," this
organization's latest annual report shows a record
total of 305,310 abortions for the previous year --
numbers that continue to go up.

That's indefensible.

Local campaigns had many good TV news reports thus
far (you can check them out through the links on our
news page at http://40daysforlife.com/news.cfm )

But I thought the Most Incredible TV News Report came
from WFMZ-TV, whose report on 40 Days for Life in
Phillipsburg, New Jersey gives a fair, objective view
of the campaign -- and an interesting look at those
who "defend" the abortion business.

See the video report here (note that there's a
commercial before the news story begins), and please
pray for the lone "pro-choice" supporter. You'll see
what I mean:

hhttp://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292

While mentioning incredible things, an incredible
pro-life event that takes place during this fall's
40 Days for Life is the annual Life Chain. It's
happening this Sunday, October 4. People will line
the sidewalks in communities across North America to
stand up for life. You can find out much more at:

http://nationallifechain.org

If you've never taken a public stand for an end to
abortion, please consider this invitation. It will
give you a first taste for pro-life activity that
will whet your appetite for doing even more -- like
taking part in the nearest 40 Days for Life vigil,
for instance! ;-)

Without a doubt, however, even in a most eventful
week of lives saved, hearts consoled and prayers
answered, my Most Incredible Inspiration is -- YOU!

YOU are the ones who answer God's call to speak out
for those who cannot speak for themselves. It has
been genuinely amazing to watch you in action. And I
can't wait to see what happens these next 33 days!

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