As Religion News Service put it this morning, March 23: “One of the most anticipated cases of this Supreme Court season revolves around nuns and birth control. Zubik v. Burwell (addressees) the requirement that employers offer certain types of birth control to their employees — the so-called contraceptive mandate. A case decided by the court in 2013 exempted the Hobby Lobby craft store chain, and other ‘closely held’ for-profit companies with religious objections … The Little Sisters of the Poor is suing on similar grounds.”
On the other side is the Obama administration, of course, which “holds that the contraceptive mandate does not impinge on the religious rights of the nuns and the other parties suing the government,” said RNS.
[lz_related_box id=”122398″]
If I’m being honest, the noble cause and an invitation from a younger, bolder friend who agreed we all do it together are what pushed me here. A dear friend, Brice Griffin, drove from Charlotte, North Carolina, with her four children and we met at the hotel. My friend and her children are seasoned travelers and have spent countless hours praying for many causes that are near and dear to people of faith. As she explained, “It’s never safe to assume someone else will attend an event, or that someone else will represent you and your values. If something is important to you, speak up. Stand up for your beliefs. Make a difference! Apathy can be dangerous.”
See how she was able to inspire me?
Traveling by train with my kids was more fun that I’d expected. They marveled at the stunning 1933 Art Deco architectural beauty of the 30th Street train station in Philadelphia. They loved looking out the windows of the train that shuttled us the 135 miles to Union Station in Washington and were just as excited to ride in a cab to the hotel.
We met up with my friend and her children at the prayer vigil on the steps of the Supreme Court as the sun was setting. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, and Dr. Alveda King and Father Frank Pavone, both of Priests for Life, were there to lead us all in prayer. I sang “Amazing Grace” at the microphone after Fr. Pavone’s introduction.
Freedom of religion is one of the core principles our great country was founded upon, and my religion isn’t just restricted to an hour on Sunday morning. Forcing the faithful to violate their deeply held beliefs goes against everything I hold dear as an American and as a Catholic Christian. I couldn’t just stay home this time.
Singing and praying with fellow Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, and others was a truly grace-filled experience. We will all continue to pray as we follow this crucial case to uphold religious liberty.
As for bringing our children with us, my friend summed it up perfectly: “It’s important to me for my children to witness these peaceful protests. I want them to know that when they encounter an injustice, there is a charitable but persuasive response. I don’t ever want them to ask, ‘You mean you KNEW that our faith was under attack from the federal government and you didn’t do anything?'”
I believe she will be inspiring generations to come by passing this courage onto her children — and now mine, too.
Jewels Green is a mother, writer, public speaker and advocate for the right to life from conception to natural death. She lives in a suburb of Philadelphia and is featured in a new book, We Choose Life: Authentic Stories, Movements of Hope.
Join the Discussion
Comments are currently closed.