By Susan Ciancio
Twenty-five years ago this week, our entire nation watched in horror as terrorists hijacked four planes, crashed three into buildings, and killed thousands. As we know, the fourth was taken down by brave passengers who had heard of the events unfolding on the East Coast, and they were determined not to allow their plane to be used as a weapon. Even though they all made the ultimate sacrifice, their heroic acts saved an unknown number of lives. It was a reminder that life is precious and can be gone in an instant.
One year ago this week, pro-life and Christian patriots watched in horror and sadness as an assassin took the life of Charlie Kirk in front of a college audience. That day was further proof that life is precious and can be taken away in an instant.
Eighty-seven years ago this week, my father, a hero in his own right, was born. He lived a life dedicated to the Marine Corps and to protecting the lives of the people of this country. But more importantly he lived (and still lives) a life dedicated to our family and to the Church. In all his actions, he has lived the truth that life is precious and can be gone in an instant. This is something he taught not only me but my children.
It’s a lesson many have never learned, but it’s one we should all be taught. Therefore, it’s up to us as parents, grandparents, godparents, and aunts and uncles to teach these values to the children we love and nurture. Life is indeed precious, but so many today fail to see this or simply don’t want to see it.
Case in point is a social media exchange that occurred in the comments section of one of our articles about protecting the preborn. Regardless of whether the comments were made by trolls just looking to elicit anger or whether they were real people posting their actual thoughts, their beliefs were not only disturbing but disgusting. From “no life has a right to use an unwilling person’s body to live” to “abortion is just returning the unwanted” and more, it was proof that people’s views, priorities, and understanding about the sanctity of life are skewed.
Life—from the very first moment of creation—is precious and should not only be protected but cherished. This tiny human being’s life begins the moment her father’s sperm fertilizes her mother’s egg. From then on, she begins to grow and develop. It’s an amazing process, and anyone who has ever seen a baby in a sonogram can see the beauty of this preborn child.
A sonogram image is also proof that life is precious.
So if we understand this basic tenet, it’s only right and it’s only natural that we should work to protect even the tiniest of human beings. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”
This is a charge we must all take seriously, and it’s a teaching we can impart to even young children, for teaching the truth about the developing baby is both easy and fun. A baby growing in his mother’s belly is a unique and unrepeatable person made in the image and likeness of God. And the fact that trolls and naysayers on social media scoff at this doesn’t make it any less true.
This truth is what we must teach every day. Firmly, consistently, and in love. Many don’t want to listen, many are filled with hate and contempt, and many think only of themselves. We cannot let their darkness envelop our days. We pray for them and do our best to educate them.
But there are also many people out there who are confused, ignorant, or who are only starting to learn. To all these people, we must courageously hold fast to our beliefs and teach the truth. It doesn’t take an embryology background or a degree in theology, but reaching people and illuminating the truth does take some knowledge, effort, guidance, and love.
So as we reflect this week on the events of 9/11, on Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and on those in our own lives who are heroes to our families and communities, let us reflect upon what we can do to teach the truth that life is precious—from creation until death. Let us take courage from those who ran into the burning buildings, who stood up to terrorists, and who ran to Charlie instead of hiding from an unseen killer. Let us vow to live heroic lives dedicated to protecting the vulnerable in whatever way we can. And let us pray for the souls of the faithful departed, that they rest in peace.
For a limited time, our booklet entitled Life Is Precious is on sale for just $5 to download because we believe everyone should know this truth.