march for life

Last year I said that I wanted to go to the March for Life in 2012.  Today was one of the busiest workdays in awhile, but Alice and I took some time in the afternoon to walk over towards Constitution Ave.  We were a little late, so when I saw groups of people walking in the opposite direction, I nervously asked, "Do you think we missed most of it?"  She just laughed, and kept walking.  We turned the corner by the Supreme Court, and suddenly, we saw this:

Now picture that these people fill the streets for literally as far as you can see.  Down, down, down a long hilly road, and out of sight.  I've never seen such a dense mass of people.  But far more striking than the sheer volume was the happiness of the crowd.  There was shouting, clapping, and laughing, but no angry yelling, like with most rallies.  This might be explained by the number of babies, nuns, and priests in the crowd [small children and religious figures seem to encourage good behavior, you know?].  But it also seemed intrinsically connected to the mission - these people were simply for life.  That's how they spoke about it.  Not attacking the other side, but defending the fathers, mothers, and children who have not enjoyed the blessing of life.

My favorite aspect of the March was the enormous diversity of those participating.  Some were not religious, but focused on the inalienable, constitutional right to life.  And this focus was in perfect harmony with the evangelicals chanting, Russian Orthodox priests singing, and Catholics praying the Rosary.  School groups, families, churches, and spectators dove in and out of the street, being pulled along like a river.  And in a city that is fueled by the ebbing and flowing of power, I've never experienced a more wonderful momentum.

God our Creator...grant, we pray, that we, whom you have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life.