Every Life Matters To God

Although I don’t agree with Catholic theology, I must give credit where credit is due.The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV made a very profound statement. He said, “we cannot build a just society if we discard the weakest-whether the child in the womb or the elderly in their frailty-for they are both gifts from God.”

In this age of abortion for the unborn and the controversy over euthanasia for the elderly this statement is a breath of fresh air. It remains to be seen what positive impact this will have on the unborn and the elderly, but it is in line with what the Bible teaches. God puts value on both.

In reference to the unborn Psalm 139:13-16 says, “You formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother‘s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… my frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.” Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). In reference to the elderly, Job 12:12 says, ”Wisdom is with the aged and understanding in length of days.” 

A baby in the womb could be a gift to the world because he or she might become a doctor or scientist who could discover a cure for some disease or have a solution to some problem facing the world. A senior citizen has a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience to share with the younger generation.

Every life, whether a baby or an elderly person, has a potential of becoming a great person or doing great things. In God’s eyes each person, no matter their age, is loved by God. Even though they might be considered the weakest of society by some God has a purpose for each person. So, in the words of the pope, to “discard” them is a tragic mistake. To cut short what God has created in his image is an insult to the Creator.

Thank you, Pope Leo XIV, for your profound statement. May the entire world take notice of it. Children being born also need a stable family life. He defined marriage to be between a man and a woman, which is what is taught in Genesis 2:24 as the whole foundation of a family. Family life with a father and a mother is a necessity for a stable society and the upbringing of children. Every life, both the unborn and the elderly, in the context of a family, matters to God.