Clump of Cells?

My brother James called me this morning to vent some frustration he felt on a conversation he had on social media with a lady who is pro-choice.  He complained of her calling the fetus just a “clump of cells.”  The woman claimed she had an abortion in the past and was proud of this fact.  My brother argued back that aren’t we all a “clump of cells?”  One would think that arguing that the fetus is just a clump of cells is really a very poor argument.  I do admire my brother for standing up and voicing his opinion and attempting to engage with others.  Unfortunately, the argument degenerated into name calling and my brother was frustrated as he would really like a real debate or dialogue as to why this woman thought it was okay to have an abortion.

Perhaps she did answer his question in a way.  The answer is a devaluing of human life.  In an age where we claim that we are sensitive to the sacredness of every individual and their unique value, we seem to practice just the opposite.  A civilized society honors the individual, especially its weakest members.  Let’s face it, none of us would have survived long out of the womb if there was not someone there who cared for us and nourished us.  The human person is designed from the beginning needing some form of society that looks out for it.  That basic unit is the family and especially the mother.

It may be that we are all just a little confused and need a strong dose of reality.  Who wants to really kill a baby?  Who does not look at someone who is pregnant and think of the baby inside and ask about this new person, this future member of society?  The children are our future.  We need to protect them.

When my brother called today, I found it interesting as it the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The day we celebrate when two pregnant women meet.    

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”

Luke 41-44

This was not two women who just happened to have a mere “clump of cells.”  This was two women who were each carrying a person in their wombs.  A person.  A person may be a “clump of cells,” but they are also so much more than that.  Perhaps we each need to have a conversation with those around us.  Speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves.  Have the conversation.  Bring back some form of sanity.