[Greek] στοιχέω (stoicheō), [Latin] ambulare, [Latin] sequere, [French] marcher, [French] voyager

[Greek] στοιχέω (stoicheō), [Latin] ambulare, [Latin] sequere, [French] marcher, [French] voyager: to walk, to follow, to be stoic, to conform to, to adhere to a standard, to imitate, to behave; Acts 21:24, Rom.4:12, Gal.5:25, Gal.6:16, Php.3:16

The theme of 2026 March for Life is “Life is a gift.”  This picture is from March of Life 2025

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to be in sequence, to correspond, to be in line with, to come to an agreement, and to assent to.

Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 6.3.34: “You officers of the chariots, one shall take its place in line upon the right flank of the army, the other on the left, and follow the phalanx each in a single file.”

Polybius’ Histories 2: “I will now relate the events which succeed these, touching upon summarily upon each in accordance with my original plan.”

Xenophon’s On the Calvery 5.7: “If the whole of the ground is exposed, you must form the files into rows and wheel, leaving a gap between each row.”

Stoicism:

1. This Hellenistic philosophy was heavily influenced by certain teachings of Socrates.
2. Stoicism gets its name from the heavily fortified stoa (covered walkway or portico) in Athens.
3. It is here where the the followers gathered to learn these teachings. Stoicism is predominately a philosophy of person ethics.
4. Men must accept the moment as it presents itself.
5. Men also must not let himself become overcome by his desires or fears.
6. One must understand the rules of the natural order.

Old Testament: This term, rarely used, means to be straight, to be right, to be acceptable, to succeed, and to prosper.

1. The image of walking with God is quite often associated with a code of conduct and adherence to rule (laws) in accordance with God.
2. This essentially means walking on the right path.
3. This idea becomes later important to the Jews of the Diaspora who sought to maintain their faith in foreign lands.

New Testament: This term means to behave or to imitate.

1. Not surprisingly, this term continues the Old Testament imagery of walking.
2. This sense of walking is conveyed by agreement with someone, in being in step with, and in following someone.
3. Such illustrations include observing the Law (and customs), following Abraham’s path, following the Spirit, conforming to the cross of Jesus, and continuing the same course.

Scripture:

Rom.4:12: “But also follow the path of faith that our father Abraham walked while still uncircumcised.” (Abraham walked with God in faith. Abraham was justified by faith. Abraham’s faith involved receipt of the forgiveness of sins. All who believes benefit as he did through faith.)

Acts 12:24: “Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses that they may have their heads shaved. In this way everyone will know that there is nothing to the reports they have been given about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.” (These actions can indicate observance of the law. Walking orderly means keeping the law.)

Gal.5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.” (This involves walking in faith in accordance with the Spirit.)

Php.3:16: “Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course.” (Paul states that being taken possession of Christ means having trust and faith in God. Paul calls upon each of us to continue on this course.) 

Gal.6:16: “Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God.” (Relying on the imagery of a carpenter’s tool, Paul makes reference to relying on the rule (canon) of scripture. Paul makes reference to the spiritual Israel who follow the promises of Abraham.)

[Greek] συνοδεύω (synodeuō): to journey with, to accompany with

Bishop Barron’s warnings about Synodality:

1. Synods are good and useful tools for the determination of practical pastoral strategies, but they ought NOT be forums for debate regarding doctrine.
2. When settled teachings becomes a subject for synodal determination, the Church devolves into relativism and self-doubt.
3. The German Synodal Church is an example of the misconceived application of Synodality.
4. It is the perpetuation of the spirit of Vatican II that led to so much vacillation and drift.
5. Synodality must NOT be a defining and permanent feature of the Church’s life.

What are the pitfalls and consequences of Synodality?

1. Lived experiences (tolerance, inclusion, and false compassion) make take precedence over Church teachings.  This is where Synodality becomes an IDOL.
2. The German Church continues to “reform” and “renew” itself into decline and heresy. This is a great warning sign for Synodality.
3. Church doctrine and Church teachings may often be decided by clergy, laity, and non Catholics.
4. In the Synodal Church, religion is now being defined by one’s religious sentiments and lived experiences.
5. Being a “listening Church” focuses MORE on what the people want rather than with Church doctrine and objective moral truths.

Conclusion:

Stoic, stoa, ambulance, sequence, voyage, voyager, march

Stoicism declined when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire. There are some admirable principles of Stoicism: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. The modern-day version is the military expression: “Embrace the suck”.

The Old Testament develops the important notion of walking with God with a code of conduct and adherence to the law. The Jews were confronted with either keeping their Jewish traditions or with following the new path of Christianity.

Yet other groups (God-fearers) followed a hybrid mixture of Jewish and Christian beliefs.

Update: The birth of Christ: the greatest pro-life story ever told!

The Modernists & Synodalists are creating a new “listening” synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences.  

Bishop Barron provides timeless wisdom of the consequences of go too far with Synodality.

Pope Francis and some of his other Modernists (Cardinal Roche) have even claimed that Church’s ecclesiology has changed. They are now creating a new Church.

Now that Roe vs. Wade was turned over, efforts to fight against abortion must continue at the state level.

Rather than adhering to God’s laws, the Vatican continues to introduce human traditions and novelties.

Many Catholics and Christians have walked together in support of the Pro-life movement in this post-Roe era.

Now it is incumbent for all supporters to attempt to change the hearts and minds of others (legislators, leaders, private citizens, etc.) about the evils of abortion.

Secular attitudes emphasizing women’s ‘rights’ (“reproductive freedom”, “this is my body, etc.”) to the exclusion of everything else continue to provide obstacles for personal conversion.

Catholics and Christians are continually deemed as “hateful” and “extreme” by many in our culture. If Catholics and Catholic get their beliefs from God, then is God also hateful and extreme?

In the secular media, “pro-life” must be redefined as “anti-abortion.” (The opposition must not be called “pro-life because then they would be called “anti-life”! You will also quite frequently notice “anti-abortion” rather than “pro-life” in newspaper articles. This is a perfect illustration of verbal gymnastics!)

The Republican Party must also must to do a better job in changing their opponents’ hearts and minds. Oftentimes, the Republicans’ efforts may often trigger a violent counter-reaction from their pro-choice opponents ==>increased support for abortion rights. 

The Catholic bishops must continue to be engaged in catechesis about the moral issues of abortion.

The National Archives was forced to pay thousands to Pro-Life students after forcing them to remove their Pro-Life shirts.

The March for Life 2026 event is this Friday Jan. 23 this week.

“Killing babies is an intrinsic evil” Pope Benedict XVI

Have a good walk (in faith)