At 50^th anniversary of Roe V. Wade, value of life is obvious

We just observed the 50^th Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s handing down of Roe v. Wade.  On January 23, 1973, it was stated that abortion is a right in the United States.  Then 49-and-a-half years later, Roe was struck down.  In my lifetime, abortion has not been the law of the land.  Then, it was the law of the land.  Now, it is not the law of the land again.

From 1973 to 2023, over 60,000,000 babies have been killed in their mothers’ wombs.  For our society, the tremendous effect of 50 years of Roe on the American psyche is incalculable.  Those five decades lulled many into thinking that life is not a big deal.  It’s a huge deal, and while some may think that the Dobbs decision of 2022 settled the issue, the issue is far from settled.  The fight for life rages on.

Regardless of the Supreme Court’s decisions about life, life is intrinsically valuable because it is given by the Creator.

The recent anniversary of the dreaded Roe v. Wade decision has been just one reminder to me that our society remains in a fight for life.

A week before the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, a group of Union University students and faculty went to Washington D.C. to attend the Stand for Life event, the Students for Life Summit, and the March for Life rally.

A friend whose office is down the hall has been keeping me updated every day about her daughter who is soon to have a baby.  By the time you read this, little Callie will probably have been born.  The grandmother (She is going to be called “Mamie!”) down the hall is expecting a call any moment to be with her daughter for the birth of her granddaughter.  She is so excited and can’t wait for Callie to be born.

Last week, my friends Brooks and Megan held a memorial service for Lucy—their daughter who died after only 17 weeks in the womb.  Gathering at the funeral home was an opportunity to comfort them in their loss.  Moreover, looking at the tiny white casket, hugging her parents, grandparents, and friends, looking at pictures of their family, and watching Lucy’s 4-year old big sister, Grace Anne play at everyone’s feet was a wonderful picture of a family who respects and values life.

Rather than hearing about something that took place in a far-off big city, our own community reeled from the news of a newborn baby being found by police in a garbage dumpster.  As awful as that news is, the incredulity and outrage of many shows that there is a respect and valuing of life.

According to BirthChoice Pregnancy Care Center in Jackson, 136 babies were saved last year because their mothers chose life.  Sadly, 10 mothers chose abortion.  The decision before these mothers is literally one of life or death.  May more mothers choose life!

I am incredibly grateful that my family and I now live in a post-Roe world.  Rather than resting securely, though, those who value life must continue to stand for life, speak for life, and live for life.  Let us live with the understanding that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) Also, let us become even more resolved to honor the One who said “The thief comes only to kill and destroy.  I came that may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Todd Brady is the Vice President for University Ministries at Union University. Contact him at tbrady@uu.edu.