Intercession:  May a culture of life grow ever stronger in our communities.

Prayers:  Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection:  From each tiny child waiting to be born, to people nearing death, all are precious and deserve our care and protection. Women and men suffering after abortion, individuals tempted to end their lives, expectant mothers facing challenging pregnancies, people pushed to the margins of society by a "throwaway culture," and every other person—each "has a place in God's heart from all eternity" ( Amoris laetitia , 168).

As Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us in  The Gospel of Life , we are asked not only to love and honor human life, but also "to work with perseverance and courage" to establish "a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love" (no 77).

Acts of Reparation  (choose one):

• "Unplug" for some time praying in silence with a short reflection on this year's Respect Life theme, "Be Not Afraid" ( www.usccb.org/be-not-afraid ).
  
  
• Use one of our Respect Life social media toolkits ( www.usccb.org/prolifetools ) to build up a culture of life on social media.
  
  
• Do you love your cup of tea or coffee? Fast from caffeine today, or try your coffee black.

One Step Further:  Watching the news and reading the headlines, we may sometimes feel helpless seeing the heartbreaking lack of respect for human life. How do we respond to Pope Saint John Paul II's invitation when our efforts to make a difference feel small?  "How to Build a Culture of Life"  ( www.usccb.org/culture-of-life ) briefly explains where to start.