Sadly, most people today will go through the day without much thought of it being the 45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the infamous Supreme Court decision which brought us abortion on demand. There will probably not be much thought by most of our population for the 60 million unborn babies whose lives this decision has claimed
The monster in the room, abortion, that lives in many of our families, will also go unnoticed yet another day, as mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings and others suffer silently knowing and missing the child, grandchild, brother or sister that should be there with them, but never speaking of it with one another.
Some people will protest in some way, somewhere today. Others will pray at masses, do holy hours and perhaps attend other services. Still others will go to the clinics that perform these abortions to pray and intercede and hopefully, stop someone from taking the life of their unborn child.
Many will silently mourn their personal losses. Some of these people will cringe filled with shame, guilt, anger they feel, thinking they are unforgiveable. Others will happily celebrate their “right to choose” death for their children as if this were a great victory. Still others will thank God for the healing they have found in His mercy.
After over 25 years of doing post abortion ministry, it is all very personal to me. Those who died are not abstract babies who were not “saved”, they are babies I know by name, and pray to every day. Their parents are not strangers, they are wonderful people who have blessed me by allowing me to stand at the foot of the cross with them, as they work through their abortions and come to know our merciful God who loves and forgives them.
Nellie, whose mom aborted because her husband threatened to abandon her. Grace whose mother was pressured by her boyfriend to abort and gave in. Anthony, whose life was ended because of the fear and shame of a teenage girl telling her parents she had had sex. Mary, whose father was so young and saw his own life ahead of him and made the mistake so many do, of thinking life would return to the way it was before the pregnancy.
Angel whose parents thought they could not handle another child only to find out they could not handle living with the fact that they participated in their own child’s death.
Caritas, whose mother recently died and I believe is with her today in heaven. I could go on and on and on. Not abstract, but personal stories of personal people who through God’s grace are reclaiming their children on a spiritual level now saying “yes” to the gift of life He has given them.
Sometimes I feel like shouting, we need allow these people to speak more for their children. Not just to tell their stories of abortion so people can see how bad it is, but to listen to their hearts. So many before their abortions were not allowed to love their children because of coercion or other pressures. That does not make the abortion right; abortions are never right, but we need to allow them to love their children now. Allow them to reclaim what was lost in this world. Allow them to speak to and for their children.
Yes, we are sinners, aren’t we all? No we do not “deserve” it after what we have done, who does “deserve” anything? But the truth is, God gave these children to us, they are our children, and His desire, and I believe the child’s desire, is for us to accept this gift of life. To reunite on a spiritual level.
There is much good going on out there, (and there should be), by groups and people who are trying to educate and end abortion, but in truth we cannot place our hope or trust in any group, person, lay “leader”, priest, politician, or law. If we do, we are sure to be disappointed. Abortion will end because of one thing only, the grace of God and the healing of our nation. His personal touch on hearts, calling us to the truth and the dignity of all life, both before and after abortion.
In the end, for each one of us, it is about our relationship with God, the Lord of life, humbly submitting to His will, each day and being sure that is what we are following instead of our own. Knowing that He alone can end abortion. We need to be constantly checking our pride to stay out of His way. Trusting in His love for each of us, the babies and the parents, the pro lifers and yes, those who “celebrate” abortion, no matter how things may look.
Yes, today, as we mark the 45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I will spend the day with Him, and Nellie and Anthony, and Mary and Grace and Angel, and remember their moms and dads and grandparents, and siblings, knowing that God is working and healing and reuniting and that in the end the victory is His.
