World Down Syndrome Day was over a month ago. Down Syndrome Awareness Month doesn't happen until October, and is usually overshadowed by it also being Breast Cancer Awareness Month anyway. But truthfully, you don't need a special day or a special month to recognize the distinct humanity and unique soul that resides in these image-bearers of our Creator. All you need is an open heart and mind.
You don't need to designate a specific timeframe, or wear a certain ribbon, or march in a particular parade to take a moment to empty yourself of politics, posturing, and pretense, and just observe the priceless innocence, the precious joy reflected in this recent viral video:
Sometimes those who are involved in the abortion debate – even those arguing on the side of human rights – forget that the sanctity of human life should never be up for discussion or regarded as some matter of dispute.
How often have well-intentioned pro-life voices inadvertently reinforced a tragic and deadly utilitarian view of humanity? They posit that abortion is wrong because "we might be aborting the person who would discover the cure to cancer," or ask rhetorically, "What if we abort the next Einstein, Beethoven, or Martin Luther King, Jr?"
What is the underlying premise in such statements and questions? That the worth and value of human life can be measured by what it does for society. The more a human does for others, the more important and valuable he or she is. Obviously, those who cure cancer, discover scientific mysteries, compose beautiful music, or lead noble social movements are of great worth. But where does that leave the Down syndrome child who is unlikely to "contribute" anything so substantial to human enterprise?
It's unquestionably that misconception that led our wayward society to the macabre milestone where 90% of pregnant couples who sought and received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome through amniocentesis were aborting their baby. As hard as that is to comprehend when looking at that precious face above, when viewing humanity through a utilitarian lens, it makes sense – disabled children cost more and contribute less, therefore their lives are not as worthy of protection.
But life is not valuable for what it does. Life is valuable for what it is.
It is the presence of God's eternal image that gives human life its incalculable worth, not anything we accomplish or contribute, meaning the beleaguered single mother who can't make ends meet, the rich and powerful investment banker who has more earthly toys than he knows what to do with, the homeless opioid addict barely clinging to existence, the elderly woman who volunteers with her daughter at the local homeless shelter, and the tiny, joyful Down syndrome baby who was just adopted – they are all of equal, invaluable worth in God's eternal architecture. Each one is worthy of protection, care, and compassion.
God's handiwork is always good. That was true even before the merciful collapse of Roe v Wade's unconstitutional creation of a federal right to abort children in the sanctuary of their mother's womb, and it's true afterwards as well.
If our jaded consciences prevent us from acknowledging that, perhaps a few more moments observing that precious baby smiling at his adoptive mother will awaken us to the truth.
