On March 29 th a movie was released nation- wide entitled “Unplanned.” The movie tells the true story of Abby Johnson, a Planned Parenthood clinic director who left the nation’s largest abortion provider in 2009 after a conversion experience (she witnessed an abortion at her clinic for the first time). Ashley Bratcher, the actress staring in the role of Abby John- son, was herself nearly aborted by her mother when she was 19 years old, but her mom changed her mind and left the procedure room at the clinic. At the time Bratcher was offered the role of Abby Johnson she did not know about her mother’s decision regarding the abortion. The movie “Unplanned” is playing at AMC Plainville 20 at 220 New Britain Avenue, Plainville. March 29 through Thursday, April 4 with four showings per day. Show times are 1:50 pm, 4:25 pm, 7:05 pm and 9:50 pm each day.

Beyond the story of abortion in “Unplanned” I believe there are two additional points we should take from this movie. First, we are all created for a reason and we are indeed part of God’s plan for this world and for salvation. Ashley Bratcher might never have existed. Her mother, for some reason, decided against an abortion that would have terminated her daughter’s life. Something moved her. Something caused her to leave that clinic. Ashley was born and grew up, and not knowing of her mother’s decision decades before, she went on to become an actress and received the title role in this planned movie. Today she is bringing the story of the sanctity of human life - and the im- portance of every individual human life - to the forefront of public discussion in our culture. Many will criticize this movie. Many will call it wrong or cruel or unfair, without every applying those same words to the act itself in question. But no matter where you stand on this issue, the topic demands public discussion. Abortion is not, nor was it every, settled law or science. And whether you see the movie or not, we should all contemplate the importance of every person, real or “potential,” and their possible role in our collective humanity: might this one child cure cancer or solve social injustices or become the presi- dent who will lead our nation to greatness? Isn’t that worth a thoughtful public conversation?

Second, the old adage “science is as much an art as it is a science” (.. we only know what we know today) is true. In 1973 when Rose v. Wade was issued by the United State Supreme Court, Faith and Reason were at odds. Science (Reason) was limited by what we knew scientifically at that moment. The fetal ultrasound wasn’t really in wide use until well into the 1970s in the United States (perfected in the 1950s in Glasgow, Scotland and it wasn’t in use in Great Britain until the 1970’s) The term fetus, rather than human person, partially due to reason/science’s understanding and usage made it more palatable for some to discuss the idea of abortion, the taking of innocent human life. Today, science/reason’s much more advanced and ultrasound technology is pretty powerful, illustrating the truth about human creation and its viability, as it’s more and more picture - perfectly - clear. And that truth is why tech - savvy youth are more and more pro - life and less pro - choice today.

In seminary a professor once said, “Faith and Reason are not boxing partners but rather are dance partners: Faith is not afraid of Reason, since Reason leads us to truth - and God is Truth. Recall the gospel story of doubting Thomas, Jesus did not dismiss Thomas because he refused to believe in Christ’s Resurrection until he saw proof. Rather, Jesus called Thomas closer to Himself, to investigate his wounds and see the Risen Lord.