Sunday Meditation: The Blessings of Persecution

What an appropriate feast day (The Birth of St. John the Baptist) to reflect on persecution of those who stand up for the family and are persecuted for it! They walk in the footsteps of St. John.

I received the email below from a friend and supporter of the Red Rose Rescues. If you aren't familiar with these events, they are totally peaceful. Rescuers go into the waiting room of an abortion mill and quietly give the mothers a red rose and a card telling them help is available. They offer concern and counseling. They do not block doors or do anything aggressive; they simply offer alternatives to the women and ask them to do what mothers do -- protect their children.

Are Undercover Operations Illegitimate Acts of Lying or Morally Justifed?

Deliberately misleading the enemy is morally justified
according to St. Thomas Aquinas.

That question is front and center again following the release of the video sting of Planned Parenthood. It was a big question when Lila Rose did her expose showing the willingness of "counselors" at the abortion giant willing to cover up statutory rape and send young women they believed to be minors back into the hands of sex predators. 

Now we're in round 2 with the Center for Medical Progress. Were their tactics legitimate? When, in fact, is it morally justifiable to wear a disguise or to carry out a covert operation where people will be misled? Certainly those committing evil have no right to the truth. If the Nazi at the door asks if there are any Jews in the house, the homeowner is perfectly justified in saying, "No!" with the mental reservation "not for you!"

Pro-Life History: 1993 baby rescue begins at abortionist's home

"If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you. Rescue those being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not. If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds." Proverbs 24: 10-12



Missionaries to the Pre-born took this proverb seriously in 1993 when they prevented Milton Tarver from leaving his home and going to his place of "business" where he would kill babies all day. Instead, rescuers blocked his car and physically put themselves between the abortionist and his victims. How many babies were saved that day? Who knows, but statistics show that about 25% of women prevented from aborting will never return.

What is Milton Tarver doing today - almost 20 years later? I don't know, but there is a Milwaukee Ob-Gyn named Milton G. Tarver who has a Milwaukee listing which does not list abortion as a service. Does he still kill children? Let's pray not.

As for the history of the abortion wars, a pro-lifer warrior has told the story from her perspective. Monica Migliorino Miller has written what's been described as the "best book ever written on abortion." It will take you back to the early days of the movement when babies bodies were retrieved from dumpsters to be given decent burials, when pro-lifers put their bodies between the abortionists and their victims and willingly went to jail as a result.

I read several chapters from the book and urge you to do the same. Would that we had many missionaries to the babies with the courage to continue doing this today when the little ones are still being massacred every day in the death centers of this country. Would that I had the courage now that my children are grown up and no longer dependent on me to return to my rescue days. A few have that courage, like Mary Wagner of Canada. May the Lord call others to imitate her example.