The story of David and Saul, especially Saul’s envy and his repeated attempts to take David’s life (1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7), echoes the spirit of today’s prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. Just as Saul had no legitimate moral authority to eliminate David, so too no individual has the proper or legal protection to extinguish the life of an unborn child.
I understand that conversations about abortion remain a grey area for many people here in the United States. In recent general elections, it became one of the most contested issues, dividing voters sharply across party lines. Yet the Church’s position remains consistent: we must defend the unborn and indeed, all persons at all times. We cannot claim to defend the unborn while neglecting the vulnerable who are already born; both deserve serious, compassionate attention and care.
As we observe this day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children, we connect the story of Saul and David to reaffirm the duty to protect all persons who require care. We awaken ourselves to the neglect that certain groups continue to suffer in our society, especially the vulnerable elderly, and remind one another that human life is sacred and must be safeguarded from conception until natural death. In other words, what is good for the goose is equally suitable for the gander, reemphasizing that dignity and protection belong to all.
