THREE REASONS WHY HUMAN RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT IN THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH.

 

INTRODUCTION

In the briefing paper which was the result of a research carried out by the Center for Reproductive Rights in October 2011, while trying to defend the position that women have a right to decide what happens to their body as regards abortion, stated that “International law guarantees women the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.[1]” While we seek to present some of the very many reasons why human rights are so vital in the church’s teachings, it is also important we understand that not only the church, but also the secular society, upholds the right of every human person. Although, this latter sometimes tends towards a dangerous humanism, the point remains that every human possesses an indispensable and fundamental right to life, association, religion, expression and so on.

MARY'S APPROACH

 There is a striking approach to troubling events that can be observed in Mary. Mary seemed, according to the Bible passages, to be untroubled by the various issues that should have ordinarily troubled her. Look at the peaceful response at Gabriel’s message (Lk. 1:38), the peaceful pondering at Simeon’s warnings (Lk. 2:51), the calmness at Cana(Jn. 2:4), the submission at the Cross (Jn. 19:27) and the patience at the upper room (Acts. 1:14). Mary shows an attitude towards things that may not be referred to as abnormal but uncommon amongst the Children of Adam. 

More than Beautiful

 

Have you seen a beauty today?

 One that could capture God's heart

That comfortably in her womb, He chose to lay. 

After the fall, which did God annoy

 All creation awaited her coming

 The second Eve and cause of our joy.

Our Blessed Mother and Her Perfect Faith

 

"But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her." Luke 1:34-38.

We are presented with the wondrous witness of the Virgin-Mother of God, her witness is one of perfect faith!

WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN

 

Reflecting on the origins and spread of various Marian devotions such as the Franciscan crown and the Rosary as well as on her many apparitions, one recurrent theme was underlined, that is, Mary comes to the rescue whenever the chips are down, be it the chips of an individual or of the entire world. The underlying message is, also, the same, which is that true devotion to Mary is not just good for but is essential to our growth and witness as Christians.