Each person is unique, special with immense dignity. In a normal family life  each is treasured and loved by parents, siblings and extended family – uncles, aunts, grandparents.

All normal parents have fond memories of the birth of their children. Of nurturing them through babyhood, as toddlers, young children and teenagers.

The hopes and dreams of parents for their children; giving their all to care for them, making whatever sacrifices may be necessary to keep them safe and to care for their needs body mind and spirit.

From a Christian perspective each life was seen by God at the dawn of time and in the womb. In Jeremiah we read, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

Each is made in God’s image and likeness. Each with an immortal soul with an eternal destiny. A vocation to fulfil, a contribution to make to society and to the world. Most are called to have children and to carry on the family legacy. No one can take that person’s place. Premature death brings great sorrow and loss to loved ones, and a vocation undiscovered and lost to the world renders the world the poorer. The loss is irreparable. Beauty and creativity lost forever.

We think of the soldier in Ukraine, killed in battle. His relatives whether wife, children, parents or grandparents left to mourn – lives forever changed.

We think of the pre born baby whose life is taken.

We think of the person killed because of their religion.

We think or those who died due to natural disasters because of climate change.

We think of the interconnectedness of everyone – a unity of being which evil seeks to destroy.

We think of the invitation of God to love and the death of Jesus Christ on the cross which opens up an eternity of Love…