God the Father, source of eternal life-------------------------recreate us.

Jesus Christ, heart of the gospel of life------------------------redeem us.

Sanctifying Spirit, power of new life---------------------------renew us.

God does not delight in the death of the living. (par. 7)

We are our brother's keeper.

Cain's murder of his brother Abel was an attack on God. (par. 9)

We are our brother's keeper.

Murderous violence changes the harmony of the Garden of Eden. (par. 9)

We are our brother's keeper.

Violence in wars, arms trade, poverty, malnutrition are evils against life.

(par. 10)

We are our brother's keeper.

Abortion, artificial reproduction, infanticide, euthanasia crush meaning or hope in life. (par. 13, 14, 15)

We are our brother's keeper.

The "conspiracy against life" is of false prophets and false teachers. (par. 17)

We are our brother's keeper.

The gospel of life is the proclamation of the very person of Jesus. (par. 29)

"I came that you may have life" (Jn. 10:10).

The revelation to Israel of its Savior ensured a future to those without hope. (par. 31)

"I came that you may have life"

Wisdom Literature challenges faith to respond to threats against life. (par. 31)

"I came that you may have life."

The universal anguish of humanity in the Book of Job points to trusting in wonder and mystery. (par. 31)

"I came that you may have life."

The mission of Jesus toward the suffering and the poor is set forth by the Prophet Isaiah. (par. 32)

"I came that you may have life."

Life is good because it is a manifestation of God in the world. (Gn. 1:26-27), (par. 34)

"I came that you may have life."

The commandment "You Shall Not Kill" is a command of love for one's neighbor.(par. 41)

"I came that you may have life."

The deepest element of God's commandment to protect human life is to show reverence and love for the life of every person. (par. 41).

"I came that you may have life."

In the coming of Jesus of Nazareth a new heart is given through his Spirit. (par. 49)

"I came that you may have life."

We find ourselves today in a dramatic conflict between the "culture of death" and the "culture of life." (par. 50)

"I came that you may have life."

The glory of the Cross is not overcome by this darkness. (par. 50)

"I came that you may have life."

By looking upon the one who was pierced on the Cross every person whose life is threatened finds hope and freedom. (par. 50)

"I came that you may have life."

The Gospel of life is both a great gift of God and an exacting task for humanity. (par. 52)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments" (Mt. 19:17)

The commandments "you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal..." are never detached from God's love. (par. 52)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments" (Mt. 19:17)

The commandment to love one's neighbor is like the commandment to love God. (par 54)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments" (Mt. 19:17)

The Church's Tradition has always consistently taught the absolute and unchanging value of the commandment "you shall not kill." (par. 54)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

The primary purpose of the death penalty is to "redress the disorder caused by the offense." (par. 56)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

Abortion is a most serious wound inflicted on society and its culture by the very people who ought to be society's promoters and defenders. (par. 59)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

All human beings belong to God, who gazes on them when they are tiny shapeless embryos and sees in them the adults of tomorrow and whose vocations are now written in the book of life. (par. 61)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

The courage and serenity with which so many suffering from serious disabilities bears eloquent witness to what gives authentic value to life. (par. 63)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

The Church is grateful to all those families which, through adoption, welcome children abandoned by their parents because of disabilities or illnesses. (par. 63)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God. (par. 65)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

There is a need to recover the basic elements of a vision of the relationship between civil law and moral law. (par. 71)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

To refuse to take part in committing an injustice is not only a moral duty; it is a basic human right. (par. 74)

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments"

Evangelization is an integral part of the Gospel of life which is Jesus Christ. (par. 78)

"We are a people of life and for life." (1 Pt. 2:9)

We have been sent as a people to preach, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life. (par. 79)

"We are a people of life and for life."

The Gospel of life needs forms of social activity and commitment in the political field as a way of defending and promoting the value of life. (par. 90)

"We are a people of life and for life."

As a domestic Church, the family is summoned to proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life. (par. 92)

"We are a people of life and for life."

In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive. (par. 99)

"We are a people of life and for life."

May the "people for life" constantly grow in number and may a new culture of love and solidarity develop for the true good of the whole of human society. (par. 101)

"We are a people of life and for life."


Let us pray:
The angel's Annunciation to Mary is framed by these reassuring words: "Do not be afraid, Mary." She is a living word of comfort for the Church in her struggle against death.

And as we, the pilgrim people, the people of life and for life, make our way in confidence towards "a new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1), we look to her to build together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. Amen. (par. 105)

- March 25, 2005
- Good Friday of the Triduum