A Call to Love Your Neighbor: A Reflection for Respect Life Week
by Kaela Beugnet, B.S. Exercise Physiology ’20
Kaela Beugnet B.S. Exercise Physiology ’20 and president of Marquette for Life, offered the following reflection last Thurs., Oct. 24 at the noon Mass for Life at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel as part of Respect Life Week, which in turn is a part of Respect Life Month, October.
My name is Kaela Beugnet and I am the president of Marquette for Life. As you may know, this week is Respect Life week on campus. In keeping with this theme, I would like to share three things I have learned about what it means to be pro-life.
1. Advocating for an end to abortion is a greater call to love your neighbor
a. Marquette for Life has been spreading the message ‘Love them Both’, which is a call to love and support not just the unborn, but also women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, who often feel shame, fear and judgment. One of the most beautiful things I have witnessed in the pro-life movement are pregnancy centers who are “loving them both” by providing resources, non-judgmental support and free services for women with unplanned pregnancies. Many Marquette students volunteer at centers in Milwaukee every month. I’m always amazed to see the generosity of people who support these centers. As a college student, it may not be possible to go out and purchase items to donate, but perhaps you could provide an hour of your time volunteering, or simply pray for the clients and staff at pregnancy resource centers.
2. Being pro-life means more than just advocating for the right to life.
a. With 2000 abortions occurring every day in our country, abortion is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed with persistence. However, being pro-life also means having respectful dialogue with your pro-choice friend or family member, because they too are created in the image of God. Respecting life means honoring the dignity of all people regardless of race, age, ability, sexual orientation, political views, socioeconomic status, and religion. There are so many student organizations on our campus who work to respect and honor the dignity of people who are marginalized, such as the homeless, the hungry, immigrants, and those who lack medical access. Working to address the needs of others is how we can live out our call to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord” after receiving the Eucharist.
3. We are each called to use our gifts to Respect Life.
a. We all have different gifts and skills that can be used to create a culture that respects life. I encourage you to spend some time in prayer today asking God to show you how you can continue to generously live a life dedicated to service. Even just making a daily commitment to be a person for others is a simple practice that can have a big impact on the lives of those you encounter.
Thank you.
Registration is still open until Friday, Nov. 1 for the March for Life Pilgrimage from January 23–25 in Washington, D.C. The cost is $200. Students interested can register via the link on www.mu.edu/cm.
