How fitting that today’s Gospel from Mark tells of the Apostles out on the sea as a sudden violent storm challenges their faith. As the boat was swamped by tremendous waves, Jesus lies sleeping.
On Monday, in a 5 to 4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Hobby Lobby and other similar employers cannot be forced to comply with the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) contraception mandate against their religious beliefs. The court ruled that the Federal Government had failed to prove that the mandate was the least restrictive means of advancing its goal of providing free birth control to women.
Hobby Lobby’s owners, the Green family, challenged a federal mandate issued under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, requiring employers to offer health insurance covering sterilization and contraception, including 4 specific drugs known as abortifacients, that cause early abortions. They said that the mandate would require them to violate their Christian beliefs by facilitating abortion.
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, I sensed a great storm forming ahead of us as more and more details of this legislation came to light. I grew increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of our ‘Religious Freedom’. When Hobby Lobby challenged the mandate I prayed for some relief even though, like the Apostles, fear and doubt had begun to take hold. “Lord, save us. We are perishing”
Now, I am not so naive to think that this one Supreme Court victory on Monday will calm the stormy seas which surround us but perhaps, with continued faith in Jesus and continued prayer, there may one day be calm seas. Got Faith?
Deacon Paul Harney
Comments
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write!