The Gospel of Luke tells us that great crowds were traveling with Jesus, but it doesn’t say why. Possibly, some were following Jesus to obtain healing or deliverance, some were hoping to be fed again since the miraculous feeding the multitude, some out of curiosity, and still some because they felt a calling to become a disciple of Christ. Jesus turned to them and using quite strong words, He said, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)
Why did Jesus say these things to the people? Was He trying to discourage them from following Him? Or was He merely telling them the truth about what it would take to become His disciple? As Jesus’ words point out, becoming His disciple requires total dedication. No attachment to family (Luke 14:26) or possessions (Luke 14:33) can stand in the way of the total commitment demanded of a disciple of Christ. In addition, accepting the call to be a disciple demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering (Luke 14:27) and a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs (Luke 14:28–32).
How far are we willing to go as a disciple of Christ? Do we go to Mass or pray only when it’s convenient for us? (cf. Matthew 22:37) Do we donate to charity only out of our surplus goods and money? (cf. Luke 21:4) Do we listen to or speak the truth only when we feel comfortable doing so? (cf. Luke 12:4)
The USCCB website lists several quotations from embryology textbooks on the question of when human life begins. Here is one quote from the medical textbook The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology: “Zygote. This cell results from the union of an oocyte and a sperm during fertilization. A zygote is the beginning of a new human being (i.e., an embryo).” In simple terms, what it says is that life begins at fertilization. According to Amazon, the authors Moore and Persaud are the world’s most renowned anatomists.
If we accept what these scientists said as fact, then despite the many revisions on the definition of abortion, it is basically the termination of human life. When a man ran up to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered: “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” (Mark 10:17-19)
Shortly before His Passion and Death, Jesus told His disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Do you think that Jesus meant that His disciples should limit their love only among themselves, or did He mean that love must be extended to everyone? Jesus also said to His disciples: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:13-14) If the greatest instance of love is to give up your own life for another, then how can any kind of Christian love be about taking the life of another? Jesus gave us the Gospel of love and life – not the Gospel of death.
St. Barnabas, who was among Christ’s early followers, was a companion of St. Paul in their missionary journeys. Regarded as an apostle by the Church, he wrote in his letter to the early Church: “Love your neighbor more than your own life. Do not kill an unborn child through abortion, nor destroy it after birth.” Many Christians think that abortion is none of their business, but should disciples of Christ look the other way when millions of living human beings have been killed?
What can we do? There are so many things that Christians can do, each according to their situation in life. But the most basic things are to pray that people all over the world respect and support the life of every human being – both born and unborn. We can also spread the truth about when life begins. And if we are able, give donations to organizations that help moms and dads during and after pregnancy. There will be times when we will feel that being a disciple of Christ is difficult and uncomfortable. But knowing what Jesus said about being His disciple, with the grace of God, we can be consistent in doing so.