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January 22 was the 36th Anniversary of the infamous Roe v Wade Decision, which legalized abortion in America. Nearly 50 million unborn babies have been killed since 1973. This is 1.3 million babies a year! An army of pro-life advocates descended upon Washing-ton D.C. to once again take a stand against the slaughter of pre-born lives.

How are you responding to the evil of abortion? You don't have to go to D.C. to make a stand. There are numerous opportunities in the Capitol region to fight for the lives of those who can't fight for themselves. There are numerous pro-life devotions in parishes. There are also many opportunities to volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center, where your "love in action" can help support the needs of women who choose to give life. Contact information can be found online or by calling the diocesan Family Life office. 

There is one more challenging, yet very significant way to defend life in the womb. You can stand outside and pray at one of the local Planned Parenthood sites. This group is the nation's No. 1 abortion provider. Thus, the "front line" in our struggle to end the killing is outside any one of their sites. Indeed, for the unborn in our midst, their seemingly innocuous buildings are each a kind of Auschwitz, places where human life is routinely and systematically ended.

Yes, this is inflammatory language. But there is precedent for it. 

Pope John Paul II in his prophetic encyclical, "The Gospel of Life," wrote, "Let us therefore discover anew the humility and courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit; the walls which conceal from sight...the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life."

You can take his use of the word "walls" literally. Behind the walls of every abortion center and "concealed from our sight," the ghastly act of abortion takes place. Yet we have the power to stop it!

I met my wife four years ago outside of the Schenectady Planned Parenthood. We were with others who were praying, carrying signs and doing sidewalk counseling.

This was the first time I took such radical action and was somewhat intimidated by the whole event. Yet I knew that I was called by God to be there. 

I recall hearing this passage from Proverbs 24:11 being prayed: "Rescue those being dragged to death, and from those staggering to execution withdraw not." .

It wasn't until months later, while praying outside of Planned Parenthood in Hudson, that I was privileged to be part of saving a life. 

I spoke with a young man whose girlfriend was inside setting up an abortion. When I told him the story of a woman I know, who had an abortion as a young adult and still regretted it 70 years later. He was stunned. He marched back into the Planned Parenthood, came out with his girlfriend moments later, and drove away. 

I can't be certain, but I believe that because I showed up that day, a precious human life was saved. This is because God used me on the "front line." This could be your experience, too. 

There is no one right way to be pro-life, but rather many ways. Today I challenge you to choose at least one way. Together we can work to rebuild the Culture of Life.

(Glenn Smith lives in Schenectady and attends Holy Family Parish in Albany.) [[In-content Ad]]

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