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March 15, 2017
“Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5).
Jeremiah the prophet invites us to reflect on human law as opposed to divine law in today’s first reading. This reading seems to be Jeremiah’s reflection on Psalm 1. Jeremiah considers human law wicked when it is favored over God’s law.
In the heated debate in favor of human life over a free and legal choice to end a human life, whether through abortion or euthanasia, one often hears the slogan “My body, my choice.” Jeremiah and Psalm 1 beg to disagree.
Genesis clearly teaches that our bodies—in fact, all of creation, all that God created—belong exclusively to God. God has given us free stewardship over our bodies and creation.
It is Church teaching and God’s law that every human life is sacred from the moment of conception through all stages of human life until natural death.
It is, again, divine law, God’s body and God’s choice, whereas “My body, my choice” turns its back on God and his law.
Father Norman Bennett, C.Ss.R.
Brooklyn, N.Y.Scripture readings for today: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; Luke 16:19-31