Our actions always affect others, for men and women are social creatures. We need each other. We seek each other out for friendship, love and collaboration in our work. And as our network of relationships expands, so too does the opportunity for conflict, unless we see each other as children of the same Father. Civil authority must work to advance the dignity of all citizens by helping to ensure good public health, housing, nutrition, education, opportunities for employment, and a just living wage.
Peace begins with justice.
And justice is grounded in the sanctity of each and every human life. Scripture is a love story. God created humanity out of love. He made each of us to share in His joy and abundance and, as Augustine once wrote, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him. The value of a human life is priceless because God's love is priceless.