Breath of Life (Gen 2:7) by Peggy Bowes

11 Feb Breath of Life (Gen 2:7) by Peggy Bowes

“Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.“ ~ Gen 2:7 (full readings)

Peggy’s Reflections:  This verse struck me as very pro-life, because God forms each of us in the womb and gives us life from the moment we are conceived.  This thought made me curious as to how a fetus “breathes” in the womb, so I went to Google to find out.  The first entry of the search listings made me gasp with wonder.  According to the website, www.beginbeforebirth.org, “The fetus does not actually breathe in the womb.  The mother breathes for the fetus, and essential oxygen is passed to the fetus through the umbilical cord.  The fetus does make breathing-like movements though.  These begin at 9 weeks of pregnancy and allow the fetus to practice this breathing movement.  This means that when the baby is born, he/she will be able to breathe straight away.”  Imagine that!  Yet another amazing connection between mother and child, showing us that God intends for a mother to care for her baby from the moment of conception.
* Peggy Bowes is the author of The Rosary Workout and co-author of Tending the Temple and Truth for Teens.  She is a former Air Force pilot and devoted wife and mother of two teens. Visit www.rosaryworkout.com..

Faith Challenge:  As pro-lifers, we have to be careful not to come across as harsh and judgmental in our fight against the evils of abortion. Consider that people who read your comments and posts on social media might have had an abortion or encouraged someone else to do so. It may be more helpful to emphasize God’s mercy and forgiveness or to focus on the wonders of life in the womb in a positive way.  Before you post something about abortion, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Our Lady of Lourdes

Faith Quote:  “The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision [to have an abortion], and she does not doubt in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision.  The wound in your heart may not yet have healed.  Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong.  But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope.  Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly.  If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance.  The Father of Mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord.” ~ St. John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, paragraph 99

Through Christ our Lord,
Peggy Bowes
Joshua 24:15