Jesse shows up at Samuel's sacrificial meal with seven strapping sons. After discerning that none of these sons were chosen by God to be King of Israel, Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Had Jesse lived in today's contraceptive culture of death, it's easy to imagine he'd quickly deliver a biting response to Samuel's question. However, since Jesse's lifestyle was innocent of the modern hostility to life, he was quick to respond that he had still another son, David. This son was the one God had chosen to be anointed as king.

David was the eighth and youngest son, and he became king of Israel, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). St. Catherine of Siena was her parents' twenty-fifth and final child. She became a Doctor of the Church and the driving force behind bringing the pope back to Rome. What kind of Church might we have today if Catherine's parents decided twenty-four children were enough?

In three days, it will be the thirty-seventh year since abortion was legalized in the USA. How many Davids and Catherines have been aborted in these thirty-seven years? How many more leaders have not been allowed to be conceived? It is easy to imagine God saying to America, "Are these all the sons you have? Are these all the priests and religious sisters and brothers you have? Where are all the holy men and women I sent to lead America into a culture of life? Where are all the leaders I sent you who were children after My own heart? Is this all the faith you have in Me after all I have given you? 'Be earnest about it, therefore! Repent!' (Rv 3:19) Reform your lives and give Me your all."

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2009

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