DAY 8: A most incredible week!

Dear Mike,Well, here we are! The first week of the fall 40 Daysfor Life campaign is complete.Since it's been a most incredible week, I'd like toshare some "most incredible" happenings, incategories large and small.Weather-wise, we've seen a bit of everything -- warmin the south, cool in the north, a lot of rain in theeast. But clearly, the honor for Most IncredibleWeather Report goes to Colorado Springs for Day 1 ofthe campaign."Colorado Springs woke up this morning to a howlingwind," Michele told me. "I looked outside and therewas blowing snow." Snow! The wind died down and thesnow stopped, but it was still pretty cold. But morethan 60 people showed up -- in winter coats, hats andmittens -- for the opening event of the 40 Days forLife campaign. "No," Michele said, "the cold won'tkeep us away!"We've seen tons of great pictures from many localefforts, but the Most Incredible Picture of a 40 Daysfor Life Banner Hanging from a Church Bell Tower isdefinitely from Pensacola, Florida, where SacredHeart Cathedral's very tall banner features the 40Days for Life logo and a scripture verse, John 10:10– "I came that they may have life, and have itabundantly."Go here to see the banner on the bell tower:http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292We also have photographic evidence for the MostIncredible Falsehood from Planned Parenthood -- thebanner hanging from the walls of an abortion centerin St. Louis with the message, "Defend the truth."Click here to see the abortion center's banner:http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292Defending the truth? That's what YOU are doing!Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortionchain and despite the constant claim that PlannedParenthood somehow "reduces abortions," thisorganization's latest annual report shows a recordtotal 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 thusfar (you can check them out through the links on ournews page at http://40daysforlife.com/news.cfm )But I thought the Most Incredible TV News Report camefrom WFMZ-TV, whose report on 40 Days for Life inPhillipsburg, New Jersey gives a fair, objective viewof the campaign -- and an interesting look at thosewho "defend" the abortion business.See the video report here (note that there's acommercial before the news story begins), and pleasepray for the lone "pro-choice" supporter. You'll seewhat I mean:hhttp://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=292While mentioning incredible things, an incrediblepro-life event that takes place during this fall's40 Days for Life is the annual Life Chain. It'shappening this Sunday, October 4. People will linethe sidewalks in communities across North America tostand up for life. You can find out much more at:http://nationallifechain.orgIf you've never taken a public stand for an end toabortion, please consider this invitation. It willgive you a first taste for pro-life activity thatwill whet your appetite for doing even more -- liketaking part in the nearest 40 Days for Life vigil,for instance! ;-)Without a doubt, however, even in a most eventfulweek of lives saved, hearts consoled and prayersanswered, my Most Incredible Inspiration is -- YOU!YOU are the ones who answer God's call to speak outfor those who cannot speak for themselves. It hasbeen genuinely amazing to watch you in action. And Ican't wait to see what happens these next 33 days!Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,National Director of Priests for Life...-----------------------------------------------------DAY 8 INTENTION-----------------------------------------------------May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fillthe hearts and minds of all our citizens.-----------------------------------------------------SCRIPTURE-----------------------------------------------------Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem toJericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. Theystripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away,leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be goingdown the same road, and when he saw the man, hepassed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, whenhe came to the place and saw him, passed by on theother side.""But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the manwas; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Hewent to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oiland wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, tookhim to an inn and took care of him. The next day hetook out two silver coins and gave them to theinnkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when Ireturn, I will reimburse you for any extra expenseyou may have.'""Which of these three do you think was a neighbor tothe man who fell into the hands of robbers?" Theexpert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy onhim." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."-- Luke 10:30-37-----------------------------------------------------REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life-----------------------------------------------------Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victimsof 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 justaround the next corner to attack them. They askedthemselves, "If I stop to help this man, what willhappen to me?"The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, andasked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what willhappen to him?"In working to save the unborn, let's not worry aboutwhat will happen to us if we act; let's worry aboutwhat will happen to the unborn if we don't.-----------------------------------------------------PRAYER-----------------------------------------------------Father, we are moved by the lesson of the GoodSamaritan, who allowed compassion to influence himmore than fear. Give us the same heart.Grant that we may never count the cost of standing upand speaking out for the unborn. We pray throughChrist our Lord, Amen.-----------------------------------------------------PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL-----------------------------------------------------To download today's devotional as a formatted,printable PDF to share with friends:http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day08print.pdf-----------------------------------------------------For Life,David BereitNational Director40 Days for Life