The first Sunday in October has been designated in the United States as “Respect Life Sunday.” While much progress has been made in this area since the passing of Roe v. Wade, there remain many causes for concern. At the time of the Civil War, many people fought to protect the right to own slaves using the false teaching that African Americans were not actually people. Kansas can be proud that we fought against this nonsense. The label “Free State” is now proudly etched in our history.

Sadly, in our present day, people are again trying to say that some people are not people, whether it be the baby in his or her mother’s womb, or the elderly who no longer fit the definition of what society considers “useful.” At the time of the Civil War, abolitionists like John Brown of local fame here in Osawatomie, stood up against injustice. Many people today are opposed to abortion, but it is necessary to do more than simply be personally opposed. We’ve got to be like John Brown and actually do something about it. While we may not agree with all his tactics, we have to emulate his fervor. He was willing to give his life rather than sit idly by and tolerate injustice.

Despite setbacks, we know that we can’t measure success based on worldly terms. We must be faithful and each of us do what we can. John Brown’s apparent failure at Harper’s Ferry and subsequent execution finally sparked the Civil War that ended slavery. God will use even apparent failures to bring about his plan, as is evident in an amazing story I share in today’s homily. More and more people are coming to see the injustice present today that denies so many people their human dignity. This is wonderful. Now, go out and do something about it!