By Judie Brown
Spamalot was a silly Broadway comedy with a very uplifting song entitled “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” It was the song that stayed in your head long after the performance was over. And whether you liked the production or not, that lyrical philosophy is a very good one for pro-life people to live and spread.
It isn’t just a Broadway song that motivates us to be positive in our pro-life work. It is the inspiration of those who have gone before us as well. We live in a time when it is good to remember how much we need to surrender our lives and the world’s challenges to the Lord, following the example of holy people like Blessed Carl Lampert, who once said, “I am on Christ’s side and I love His Church.”
Our outlook on life is centered on this love—this joy of being part of the bright side of humanity—for where grace abounds, life is beautiful. Let’s look at a few recent examples.
Our efforts designed to empower women to choose life are incredible sources of joy. While the government sits stagnant over the question of whether or not the abortion pill should be regulated for safety concerns, the abortion pill rescue movement is alive and growing. The politics of the pill will never change, but because of the heroic work of those who have reached the hearts of women who regret their decision to use the first of that killer pill duo, many women are reversing the effects, celebrating life, and loving it!
In another example, Colorado’s Catholic bishops are definitely looking on the bright side of life as they unite to oppose efforts designed to literally shove gender ideology down the throats of schoolchildren. In a prepared statement, the bishops wrote, “Under the guise of ‘non-discrimination,’ the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) actually discriminates against any person and public or private institution that expresses a belief about human sexuality or marriage that is contrary to the state definition, including ‘sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.’”
Standing for the truth as designed by nature, Colorado’s bishops are shining a light on the bright side of childhood innocence. By defying political correctness, these bishops are heroic, not to mention teaching that it is always best to live on the bright side: God’s side.
Finally, Pope Leo is doing his best to stay on the bright side of life as well, reminding all of us that we must remember the elderly by honoring them and recognizing their value in the family, the community, and the world. He said, “If it is true that the weakness of the elderly needs the strength of the young, it is equally true that the inexperience of the young needs the witness of the elderly in order to build the future with wisdom.”
He urged the faithful to regularly visit the elderly and to create “networks of support and prayer for them and with them.”
Let us heed his words and add some kindness to our days and moral courage to our lives, for no matter who you are or how old or young you are, it is never a mistake to always look on the bright side of life!