The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae) is an easy read. In that encyclical, John Paul II tells us that the baby is an icon of Jesus Christ. If we are to see Christ in our baby, how can we delegate their care to others? If we see Christ in our babies, how can we place them in cribs, car seats, playpens, swing seats and strollers for long periods of time when they really need to have close contact and intimacy with their mother and later their father? How can we let our baby cry unattended for a long period of time as parents are being taught to do in our society?
In our society mothers who practice ecological breastfeeding may use such items mentioned above but will probably do so on a very limited basis. They will also use their body and breasts to nourish and comfort their baby instead of relying upon pacifiers and bottles to do the job.
In the Gospel of Life, the Pope says 7 times that “the family is the sanctuary of life.” (Sections 6, 11, 59, 88, 91, 92, and 94) Parents are called to develop that sanctuary of life for their children. A sanctuary where life is loved, nurtured and protected. A home also where it is a desirable place to be.
In the Gospel of Life, the Pope asks us to serve life at its weakest stages, especially those at either end of the scale—the unborn, the infant and the elderly.
Our families start with the addition of a baby. We as parents are to serve our babies and meet their needs. The family begins its mission of becoming that “sanctuary of life” first when the baby finds a sanctuary in the womb and later at his mother’s breasts.
As D. Ruth Lawrence said so well, “Breastfeeding is the most precious gift a mother can give her infant. If there is illness or infection, it may be a life-saving gift. If there is poverty, it may be the only gift” (“The Eradication of Poverty: One child at a Time Through Breastfeeding,” Breastfeeding Medicine, October 22, 2007; article available at the NFPI website).
Breastfeeding is one of the best gifts a mother can give to her baby. Even the Pope Francis promotes breastfeeding! This Sunday he baptized 32 infants and encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies if they were hungry in the Sistine Chapel.
Sheila Kippley