Day 29…Thanks to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, St. Joseph the Worker Parish & Our wonderful Team!

Diving Under the Waves…

I have to be honest, I was a little intimidated as I was riding my bike across the Seventh Street Bridge this past Saturday, on my way to my 3:00 shift at Planned Parenthood. The “No Kings” march was just disbanding and a wave of “Trump-haters”, still carrying their signs, was headed my way. As I rode through their midst, I could just feel the arrogance and self-righteousness radiating from them. I definitely felt outnumbered, but thankfully they paid me no mind and went on their way, smug in their belief that they had stood up to “injustice” and done their good deed for the day.

Earlier that day, I had been listening so some videos of Charlie Kirk’s debates with these same sorts of self-righteous, angry people. I was exhausted after listening to them! How did he have the patience and the endurance to go head-to-head with these people? It was maddening to me to listen to their ridiculous arguments that were totally lacking in facts, about how we should have the right to end the lives of our unborn children, decide our own gender and “marry” whoever or whatever we want. I tell you, Charlie had a gift from God that enabled him to do this. I never could. I get too frustrated and angry when confronting this type of person. But he somehow was able to maintain compassion for the deluded people who hated him, and he never seemed to grow weary. Charlie Kirk was the exception. He was able to meet the angry energy head-on and remain standing…cool and collected. For me, when I encounter angry people who just cannot see or understand the reality of the sanctity of all human life…I need to dive underneath the wave of hatred.

Sort of like diving under a wave at the beach.

Did you ever stand on the shore, wanting to get past the rough waves that were crashing at you…but were too afraid to dive underneath them? What happens if you try to walk right through them? It’s painful, right? They crash into your chest or even knock you down into the sandy ocean bottom. It can be embarrassing when you try to stand up, and another wave knocks you down again. But…as scary as it seems the first time you do it…when you dive UNDER the wave, just as its crashing…you come out on the other side of it, and avoid the fury of the wave. Its surprisingly calm underneath the wave.

The point of this analogy is that when we face hostility from those who are arrogant (I am not talking about those who are practicing evil…such as satanists or those using drugs or sexually perverse)…but for those who are self-righteously angry at our pro-life stance…who may pride themselves on being “good people”…I think the better response for most of us (unless we have a gift like Charlie did)...is to simply kneel down in humility before them. To be gentle and self-effacing. To be willing to look ridiculous. It diffuses their anger. It softens their heart. It makes the soil of their soul fertile so that when someone like Charlie encounters them, the truth of the Gospel can take root.

So I encourage you to be humble when at the vigil. Of course, when you encounter those who could be dangerous…do not be humble…be prudent! But for the majority of those who oppose us, they think they are in the right. Going head to head with them is just going to knock us both down and not solve anything. This is why I think God has used 40 Days for Life to accomplish so much good! Because we are humble. We are gentle and meek. We let GOD be the strong one. And as in Monday’s first reading from St. Paul to the Romans said, “he was empowered by faith“. (Speaking of Abraham…but that can be said of each one of us as well.) When we see that ferocious wave of anger and hatred heading right towards us…strengthened and empowered by our faith…we can dive right under it. And come out the other side in peace.

Peggy & Mary B

(From Peggy) – Quiet morning. Two couples. One couple male very nasty. The other couple very polite. Listened to all I said but would Not take our literature. This Was an unusual Wednesday. So Mary & I thanked St John Paul II for the limited clients. We committed the babies Souls to the protection of Our Blessed Mother.

Conrad

(From Conrad) – I was joined by Larry and his Church St Thomas the apostle. See photo above.  Constant prayer. Very intense and peaceful.       The total number of women entering over the 2 hours was about 7. Slow compared with last week. Beverly joined us at 10.    The foot traffic on Liberty was unusually light. It felt almost wintry so time to layer up.     Watch out for very heavy set lady who attempted to forcibly steal Larry’s rosary. She asked  ‘Are they spiritual?’  She was talking to herself and muttering. She also was talking with Peggy at the end of her shift.  My  impression is that she is nuts and disruptive. She Left in an Uber.    She also wrote in the sign up sheet. Not sure how that happened.

Larry

(From Larry) – Double shift today.  9-11 with my home parish of St. Thomas the Apostle from the Steel Valley Area of Homestead, Munhall, Whitaker, West Mifflin, and Duquesne.  We had Deacon Ron, Pam, Maureen, John, Jeff, and myself as prayer warriors during Conrad’s shift.  They prayed all four Mysteries of the Rosary and the Pro Life Stations of the Cross. Then Dave was there from 11 to 12.  As soon as Dave got there, two men stopped to talk to us.  They were just released from prison and were wearing denim prison clothing for released prisoners.  David prayed with them and gave them Miraculous Medals, and we gave them directions to the Allegheny County Assistance Office, so they could get started in their civilian life.  Later in the day, a man and woman stopped to talk to us who had also just been released from prison.  Dave gave them Miraculous Medals and prayed with them.  Several women entered PP, and we tried to hand them resources pamphlets, but they showed no interest.  Later in the shift several couples came out and we tried urging them to take information, but they weren’t interested.  Ed was there from Noon till 1, when Judy, Chris, Kevin, and John showed up.  Judy brought two prayer warriors with her, but I can’t remember their names.

Judy, Chris & Kevin

(From Chris) – Joining me in prayer today were four prayer warriors from St. Joseph the Worker Parish- Arleen, Judy, Chalice, and Paulette, along with two fellow parishioners from Regina Coeli Parish- Kevin and John.  Today was a bit of an oddity, a good oddity- one “God Bless You” and no negative comments.  We prayed the four Mysteries of the Rosary, several Chaplets of Divine Mercy and a Loreto Litany.  Sidewalk Advocate Judy did her best to approach every woman about to enter, or leaving, PP.

Eileen & Steve

(From Steve) – Eileen and I had a great friend join us from 3-4 today! Anthony was both a ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy  afternoon and a prayerful  presence- even gifting Eileen with a Pieta Prayer book- and assuring her it was the LARGE PRINT edition! He was also a gracious and  generous consolation to a couple of street folks who needed a warm meal and cup of Joe. Only a couple of clients exiting PP, and just one “digital salute”, with 2 passersby thanking us for being there!