Good Works, While There’s Time: International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is upon us again. I’ve seen a hashtag that says #ADayWithoutWomen, referring to a gender-based strike to show the world what happens when women bow out of work for a day.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

They don’t get paid, for one thing. Those of us who don’t work on salary already knew that. To each her own, though. I’ll leave the day-without-women adherents in peace.

There’s another observance going on today, or rather a feast: the feast of St. John of God – “the Waif,” as he is sometimes known. He spent the last few years of his life in unstinting service to the destitute, for the love of God. My Laudate app (I do love certain bits of modern technology) advised me this morning of something the saint said:

“Labour without stopping; do all the good work you can while you still have the time.”

I know some women nearby who are doing good work today, and who without ill will are paying no attention to recommendations that they put everything down for the day.

A friend of mine is caring for her children, including a baby and a foster child. Don’t tell those kids it’s a day without women.

A neighbor of mine is sitting in the legislature at this moment, prepared to vote on numerous measures including some life-issue legislation. The session is expected to extend into this evening and then resume tomorrow morning. Opponents of the life-issue bills would be delighted if my neighbor would participate in a day without women. Ain’t happening, though.

I’ll be meeting a doctor later today, but not for a medical problem. She’s new in town, and I want to welcome her. With the help of a Catholic hospital, she’s going to lead an OB/GYN practice dedicated to NaPro Technology: wholly pro-life, not just abortion-free. Hers will be the first practice of its kind in my area. I’m glad she’s not taking a day off.

Do good work while you still have the time. On this Women’s Day, these women are showing how it’s done. I need the examples, and I’m grateful for them.

Open Book: Pope Francis on Mary, and “The Ambulance Drivers”

Alicia von Stamwitz has collected Pope Francis’s reflections on on the Blessed Mother in Mother Mary (Franciscan Media, to be released 3/31/2017), in a format ideal for daily prayer prompts and inspiration. Excerpts from the Pope’s homilies, public addresses, and daily Angelus proclamations are divided into six Marian-themed chapters.

color illustration of packed bookshelves
Image: Pete Linforth/Pixabay.

The collection could be particularly useful in special liturgical seasons, as an aid to periodic prayer throughout the day. This could appear to be a collection for busy people; each quotation takes only a few moments to read. That’s deceptive, though, because under von Stamwitz’s curation, the Pope’s brief reflections draw the reader away from busy-ness. His words inspire contemplation of Mary and her perfect faith in God, inviting the reader to join Our Lady in confident prayer and praise.

Something completely different is onboard my Kindle at the moment: The Ambulance Drivers by James McGrath Morris (Perseus Books Group, Da Capo Press, to be released 3/28/2017), a nonfiction account of the relationships and common experiences of American writers John Dos Passos and Ernest Hemingway. The title refers to their service in World War I, which deeply affected each man. I’m not far into the book but it has already grabbed me. Morris is crafting an appealing blend of biography, literature and history.

Review copies provided by NetGalley.com.

A Party’s (Dis)Unity, a Party’s Priorities

No one who has seen pro-life bills fail in the New Hampshire House under Republican majorities can be shocked when “party unity” fails on any other issue.

empty legislative chamber

One example: the House recently voted to kill a “right-to-work” bill. Right-to-work is in the state GOP platform. Republican leadership in legislative and executive branches promoted the bill.  It failed anyway, by 23 votes.

*Yawn.*

Many of this year’s House members were in office last year when the House voted 167-116 to kill a bill (HB 1627) to protect children born alive after attempted abortion. There was a Republican majority in place then, too, under the same Speaker who holds the position today.

One difference between this year and last: Unlike with right-to-work, there was no press conference with the state Republican Party chairwoman calling on reps to pass born-alive legislation. Unlike with right-to-work, the Speaker didn’t hand over the gavel to another rep so he could go on record supporting HB 1627.

I might regret that right-to-work lost in my home state this year. But surprised? Shocked?

Please. Without party unity on the fundamental right to life, party unity on anything else seems irrelevant.

I’m hanging on to what the state of New Hampshire insists on calling my “undeclared” voter registration. Any candidate who wants my vote knows how to earn it.

Adapted from a post at Leaven for the Loaf.