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Quote of the Day: In the Image of God
On the day of the March for Life, Jan. 24, I posted a QOTD on Psalm 8 which I used as a springboard for a teaching moment on why abortion is wrong, all of which climaxed with this as the central thesis:
Abortion is wrong for many reasons: the destruction of innocent life, the negation of love, the violation of human dignity. But those reasons are just satellites around the very core reason, that abortion violates the very image of God.
I posted that in the wee hours of the morning and then went down to participate in the march. I never got to see President Trump’s speech that day except on a video clip later that evening. Only recently did I read exactly what he said. Here’s a key paragraph:
“When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God’s creation. When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the endless love that each child brings to a family. When we watch a child grow, we see the splendor that radiates from each human soul. One life changes the world… We cannot know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve. The dreams they will imagine. The masterpieces they will create. The discoveries they will make. But we know this: every life brings love into this world. Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting. And above all, we know that every human soul is divine and every human life, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of Almighty God.”
President Donald J. Trump
My goodness. We essentially said the same thing with the same rhetorical development. We both started with the majesty of God’s creation, developed it to His creation of mankind, asserted the dignity of mankind, and concluded that abortion is wrong because we, born and unborn, are made in the image of God.
No, we did not share notes! Thank you, Mr. President. Great minds think alike.
Published in Religion & Philosophy
The notes are written in our very DNA.
I thought he said “sacred.”
🤔
Or… perhaps it’s Mannygate!
I smell the next impeachable offense. I could probably get a Hero of the Election Season Award from a major media organization if I float that along to the right people.
Whaddya know! Found a transcript online, and he did say “divine.” (I think “sacred” was elsewhere in the speech.)
Normally “divine” would trouble me. I thought the word was reserved for that which is G-d or god, not only that which relates to such.
But apparently I don’t know an important meaning of the word! The dictionary allows “relating to G-d,” to count as “divine,” which is orthodox enough.
I am fine with “divine” – the Torah tells us that G-d’s breath forms our souls – and G-d later repents for “my spirit dwelling within man.”. I understand this to mean that we each contain a spark of the divine.
I am also fine with it, in the dictionary sense of “relating to G-d,” and since the Torah says G-d breathed life into us (if that’s close enough to the Hebrew), and says that we are the image of G-d.
But what do you mean–that the soul is G-d, or only that it relates to G-d? Is the soul “G-d’s extended self” or “only a potential channel to G-d”?
(Be warned: I have notes! If you’re ready to talk about this now, I may break them out in more detail!)
Now, why would you want to do that? Do you want me to beat your head in?*
* This was one of my mother’s favorite questions as she was raising her children. For some reason, we never said, “Sure, Mom, go for it!”
Cod help us!
Beautifully said, Manny. Thank you.
I copied and pasted. Perhaps there was a typo. Or perhaps that was what was written but he said Sacred either by accident or adlibbed.
Haha! I will become the next whistle blower. Don’t give away my identity. ;)
Duly warned. I cannot do it now. Shabbos in the UK comes early, and I am doing a concert after, then flying…
Right on, right on.
I hope your arms don’t get too tired.
Seriously, I hope the flying goes well. (I love intercontinental flying these days. Such cool machines, modern jets. And sci-movies on my own personal screen. So cool.)
Oops. I meant he said “divine” by accident.
The danger of proceeding this way is that suggests the value of a person is realized in action, in a destiny that unfolds, rather than in the innate love by one’s parents (hopefully) and one’s Creator.
When a baby dies, it is sad not only because of who that baby might have become but because of who that child already is. Loving parents do not abandon babies if doomed to die within weeks or months. A baby dead just two weeks after being born is not just a failed attempt at a person worthy of love.
Faith in immortal souls is crucial. But even an atheist can understand that a baby is not just the hope of an adult-to-be.
Yes agree. I don’t think Trump is contradicting your point. His last sentence implies it.
I know there’s this theory that Jerry Falwell is Trump’s spiritual advisor, but my money is on Melania.
Oh the questions I would ask if I could interview her!
Especially if it were private and off the record!
Well I’d think an intimate and candid conversation with the First Lady was by far and away less possible than an interview =p
I was contemplating the Joyful Mysteries this morning while praying my Rosary, and it struck me that God incarnate in Jesus was once one of these unborn persons. God chose to enter into our full humanity with all its vulnerability and suffering — to sanctify all of it. Glory to God in the highest!
Beautiful post, Manny.
Thank you WC. Actually thank you all.
When I click the follow button on your post, I’m being bounced out ?
The one in the first sentence? I just tried it. It took me directly to my old post. No clue why it happens to you. Does it happen to anyone else?
The link works for me. So does the Follow/Unfollow button.
Oh she meant that follow button. I have no control over that.
What strikes me when I’m meditating on the Joyful Mysteries is one aspect of the Visitation: the first human who recognizes Jesus as Lord and Savior, apart from Mary of course, is an unborn child – John the Baptist!
Yes! And Jesus is only early first trimester!
Dubya C, (@westernchauvinist) or @painterjean!
This sounds like a post!
Also, Jacob and Esau appear to have their personal identities when they’re still in womb.
Jeremiah 1. Psalm 139, I believe. Maybe more.
I’ve been contemplating a series on the mysteries of the Rosary. . .