Maintaining joy in a culture of death

I stood at the podium looking into a sea of faces at a loss for words. I had just concluded my remarks addressing the question “Is the Culture Toxic?” and I was fielding questions for the Q&A portion of our diocesan pro-life conference.

The very first question caught me off guard. After hearing my summary of the challenging and disheartening developments in medical research today, one audience member asked not about the precise moment that new life begins or the ethical ins and outs of reproductive technologies, but a question far more pressing and practical: “How do you stay joyful?” The incredulity in her voice was palpable.

I was thrown off by the unanticipated question. As I regained composure, I relayed to her the most joyous part of my life: my children. Their bright optimism and enthusiasm for each new day were always a stark contrast to the medical and ethical complexities I had just laid bare.

Continued below.