Devotional for Day 4

Intention

That all may come to recognize and treasure the Image of God in which every human being is created at the moment of conception.

Scripture:

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 2:27-28)

Reflection:

The value of the human person lies not in the achievements, status or "viability" of any individual. It is something intrinsic to our human nature, and is to be found in every man, woman and child at every stage of existence from conception in the womb until the separation of body and soul at death, and beyond the grave into eternity. Its source is the image of God that is imprinted on our immortal souls. This divine image makes each and every innocent human life inviolable and truly sacred to God.

To worship God in spirit and in truth, we must always seek to honour that image that is emblazoned on the soul of every human being regardless of age, religion or nationality. Minister to our neighbour, and we minister to the Lord - in whose image our neighbour was created: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40). On this we shall be judged. To minister to the "least" - to the poor, the needy and the vulnerable - pays special honour to the Creator.

No-one is more poor, more needy, and more worthy of our protection than the child in the mother's womb. When we serve the interests of the unborn through prayer and faithful witness to the sanctity of these little ones, we can be sure that we do great honour to the Creator.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You created man in the beauty of your own image when you formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life. Grant that all in the world will come to recognize this image in the heart and soul of every human being, and especially in the unborn child, so that in ministering to the least of our brethren we may pay honour to your glory. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Fr Julian Large

The London Oratory