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Emma's Reflection

We march for those who can’t.
 
This phrase took on a whole new meaning for me at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. this year.
 
This January, I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic to a Mustard Seed community that takes care of children and young adults with various disabilities. The week after I returned, I left with the University of Mary to go to the March for Life in D.C.
 
Many of the children and young adults we worked with on the mission trip have cerebral palsy and live their lives in a wheelchair. Many of them can’t take care of themselves in any way. We helped feed, clothe, and clean them, etc. We played with them and loved them, and all a lot of them could do was receive that love, without giving anything to us in return.
 
When I have gone to the March for Life previously, I always told myself that I was going to march for every life, because being pro-life is more than just being against abortion - it is about recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every single human, no matter where they come from, who they are, what they believe, or what they can do. I told myself these things, but I didn’t realize the magnitude of what this meant until this year.
 
If I say I am pro-life, that means I actually need to recognize the dignity of every person. This includes the person who makes a rude comment to me, the person who cuts me off, the people who no one sees in a good light, the people with disabilities to any degree. Everyone has dignity and it should be respected.
 
At the March this year, I had faces of people I was marching for. Each of the people I encountered on my mission trip were on my mind. Many of them could do nothing except receive any love we could give them. I marched for them. They literally could not March for themselves and their dignity, so I marched for them. They are the people who some would say it would be better if they hadn’t been born. I marched for them.
 
When we march for life, we march for every life, because every life matters and should be respected.
 
Make time in your life to serve and come out of yourself to love those around you, even if they can’t love you back.

Emma Thorp
Parishioner
Student at the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND
 

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2024 Mission Trip Informational Meetings

Thinking about joining us for our next Mustard Seed Mission Trip to Hogar Immanuel in the Dominican Republic on January 6-13, 2024? Join us for one of two informational meetings:

• Sunday, February 19, at 10:00 AM in Room 104

• Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 PM in Room 107

These meetings are informational only, and those attending are not making a commitment to go on the mission trip. We hope to see you there!