Being pro-life means loving all human life

Shining a light of hope to those in need is a Christian steward’s way of life. Stewardship is using our God given talents to help those in need regardless of where they came from or how they arrived in our communities.  
     “The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: ‘Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.’” — Deuteronomy 15:11
Being pro-life means loving and helping ALL human life. Life is precious from conception to natural death. As faithful Christians, we believe this because every human life is created in the image and likeness of God. We learned this from the very first book in the Bible. 
“God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27
The Gospel of Matthew calls Christians to treat everyone as they would treat Jesus Himself. This section of Matthew’s Gospel is called the Judgement of the Nations because it gives us the recipe for obtaining the kingdom of Heaven. He said those who care for the least of My brothers, cared for Me and they are blessed and will receive eternal life.  
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me ... When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? … ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' ”– Matthew 25:35-40
Catholic Charities USA is a national Catholic organization that has received quite a bit of news coverage for assisting migrants at our southern border. Although this organization has no affiliation to our annual Catholic Charities Appeal, they, like the local ministries supported by our annual Catholic Charities Appeal, are doing exactly what Christ taught us to do. They are helping those in need. They are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger. 
CCUSA’s mission has not changed because of the border crisis; they continue to serve the needs of a neighbor created in the image and likeness of God. Marilyn King, the executive director of Catholic Social Services for the Archdiocese of Mobile, shared the following, “In our archdiocese where Catholic Social Services serves over 23,000 unduplicated persons in a year just in the southern half of Alabama, we need support and an understanding that we serve the most vulnerable because we are Catholic!”
We may not agree with the political policies that allowed someone to enter our country. If that is the case, take it up with the appropriate political representative; please, don’t take it out on the human’s suffering. Marilyn went on to say, “I like the saying it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” 
The world would be a better place if we all reacted with the answer to one question. What Would Jesus Do?­­
— Shannon Roh is the Executive Director of the Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile.