Is 22.15, 19-23; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16.13-20

• Jesus gives Peter authority over the Church, and promises him that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. Still, in the face of widespread abortion and euthanasia it can often seem that hell is certainly not far from winning the victory. We are now engaged in a battle against these evils, and we do not know how long we must fight, but we are assured that we will succeed, because we are fighting on God’s side.

• We may become discouraged, wondering why God allows evil, but St. Paul urges us to be struck instead by wonder and awe at God’s designs. We do not know the mind of God, but we know that He does all things and allows all things for a purpose. For this we must praise Him. Let us continue to fight fervently for justice, knowing that, no matter what we feel, God has already won the victory.

• Pro-Life Intercession: That the Church, against which the gates of death cannot prevail, will work with confidence to eradicate the injustices of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, we pray to the Lord...