Well, here we are! The first week of the fall 40 Days for Life campaign is complete.

Since it’s been a most incredible week, I’d like to share some “most incredible” happenings, in categories large and small.

Weather-wise, we’ve seen a bit of everything — warm in the south, cool in the north, a lot of rain in the east. But clearly, the honor for Most Incredible Weather Report goes to Colorado Springs for Day 1 of the campaign.

“Colorado Springs woke up this morning to a howling wind,” Michele told me. “I looked outside and there was blowing snow.” Snow! The wind died down and the snow stopped, but it was still pretty cold. But more than 60 people showed up — in winter coats, hats and mittens — for the opening event of the 40 Days for Life campaign. “No,” Michele said, “the cold won’t keep us away!”

We’ve seen tons of great pictures from many local efforts, but the Most Incredible Picture of a 40 Days for Life Banner Hanging from a Church Bell Tower is definitely from Pensacola, Florida, where Sacred Heart Cathedral’s very tall banner features the 40 Days for Life logo and a scripture verse, John 10:10 – “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

We also have photographic evidence for the Most Incredible Falsehood from Planned Parenthood — the banner hanging from the walls of an abortion center in St. Louis with the message, “Defend the truth.”

Defending the truth? That’s what YOU are doing!

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion chain and despite the constant claim that Planned Parenthood somehow “reduces abortions,” this organization’s latest annual report shows a record total of 305,310 abortions for the previous year — numbers that continue to go up.

That’s indefensible.

Local campaigns had many good TV news reports thus far (you can check them out through the links on our news page at http://40daysforlife.com/news.cfm?selected=tv)

But I thought the Most Incredible TV News Report came from WFMZ-TV, whose report on 40 Days for Life in Phillipsburg, New Jersey gives a fair, objective view of the campaign — and an interesting look at those who “defend” the abortion business.

Click the photo below to watch the report (it will open in a new window; please note that there’s a commercial before the news story begins), and please pray for the lone “pro-choice” supporter. You’ll see what I mean:

While I’m mentioning incredible things, an incredible pro-life event that takes place during this fall’s 40 Days for Life is the annual Life Chain. It’s happening this Sunday, October 4. People will line the sidewalks in communities across North America to stand up for life. You can find out much more at:

http://nationallifechain.org

If you’ve never taken a public stand for an end to abortion, please consider this invitation. It will give you a first taste for pro-life activity that will whet your appetite for doing even more — like taking part in the nearest 40 Days for Life vigil, for instance!

Without a doubt, however, even in a most eventful week of lives saved, hearts consoled and prayers answered, my Most Incredible Inspiration is — YOU!

YOU are the ones who answer God’s call to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. It has been genuinely amazing to watch you in action. And I can’t wait to see what happens these next 33 days!

Here’s today’s devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life…

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DAY 8 INTENTION
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May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

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SCRIPTURE
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Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

– Luke 10:30-37

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
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Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, “If I don’t stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

In working to save the unborn, let’s not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let’s worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don’t.

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PRAYER
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Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.

Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day08print.pdf

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For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 11:24 pm and is filed under 09 Fall Campaign, 40 Days for Life, Devotionals, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.