This Week's Repect Life Message

The People of Life, Born from the Cross

“When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (Jn 19:30). Afterwards, the Roman soldier "pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water" (Jn 19:34). Everything has now reached its complete fulfillment. The "giving up" of the spirit describes Jesus' death, a death like that of every other human being, but it also seems to allude to the "gift of the Spirit", by which Jesus ransoms us from death and opens before us a new life. It is the very life of God which is now shared with man. It is the life which through the Sacraments of the Church - symbolized by the blood and water flowing from Christ's side - is continually given to God's children, making them the people of the New Covenant. From the Cross, the source of life, the "people of life" is born and increases” (The Gospel of Life, n.51).

from: Priests For Life