“God of love and mercy, you are always ready to forgive, we are sinners and you invite us to trust in your mercy”
Eucharistic Prayer of Reconciliation
He does not force us …He invites us to trust in His mercy. He tells us that it is there, that He is a God of love and mercy. That He is Mercy itself.
He tells us He already knows we are sinners before we even ask for forgiveness, and that He is always ready to forgive in spite of our sins. We are not forgiven except for this sin or that sin… no matter what the sin. All we need to do, is accept the invitation and step out in contrition and trust. He will do the rest.
Sounds simple enough, but we all know what a challenge that can be. We are called to trust in this being we cannot physically see. We are asked to trust in a love for us that perhaps we have not experienced, or at least were unaware that we experienced. Although the cross may have been a visible presence to us in our life, we may not be able to fully understand His love for each one of us as individuals. We tend to say “He did this for everyone” but have a hard time internalizing it when it comes to ourselves.
Perhaps one of the most significant areas this challenge is manifested today is in the case of those who are post abortive. Oftentimes, those they trusted and loved most in their lives; a boyfriend, parents, a husband, a well-meaning friend, have led them to abortion. Now, they are being asked to trust in a God who they cannot even see or touch - a God who perhaps they feel abandoned them in a time of need, along with the others they depended on in their lives. To really trust is an act of faith, or maybe even an act of desperation, because they are living in the pits of hell and see no other way out. It is worth the try. They know they cannot heal from this alone, they know they need a power much greater than themselves. It is often the last ray of hope, the tiny flicker that leads the way.
These people truly believe that they have committed the “unforgivable sin”. They are the mothers and fathers who have participated in the deaths of their child. Its horror is so profound, it is hard for them to even imagine the possibility of forgiveness. They see themselves as doomed to eternal hell and project those feelings onto God. They are often so full of anger, self-loathing, guilt, shame and grief that they are unable to see past themselves and their feelings. Some are living in such denial in a society that refuses to acknowledge abortions consequences that they are even unaware it is the source of their pain and are left feeling crazy for no apparent reason. They are centered on self, often so immersed in their denial that they are not even capable of looking at God.
They always find a way or an excuse to stop themselves from accepting Christ’s invitation of forgiveness. “No one forced me to abort”; “I had more than one abortion, He can never forgive me”; “I was really bad, there is no way I can be forgiven”; “Look what you have done, you are surely worse than all the rest”. The list can go on and on. They are often paralyzed by fear - the fear of condemnation, the fear of being “found out”, and thus the withdrawal of love by those they love and by God. So they suffer alone in silence, living in a hell only they are aware of, although it may manifest itself in addictions, anxiety, panic attacks, promiscuity and a host of other negative behaviors.
The truth is, the post abortive person needs to look at Christ, instead of himself or herself. Forgiveness is not about them, but about God and His goodness and mercy. Even in spite of this terrible sin and all the excuses, God still chooses to forgive, if there is repentance. If they were the only person on earth, God would have died for their sin of abortion, because He loves them.
It is only in the fold of His arms and with the help of Mary our Mother of Mercy that the post abortive can have the strength to look at their sin of abortion. Through a personal relationship with Christ, they can come to learn of His great love for them. One step at a time, through living a life of grace, they can obtain the courage to look at and work through their abortion, and to make peace with themselves, God, and their aborted child. With the help of a ministry and/or a health care professional trained in the many aspects of post abortion healing, they can educate themselves about its very real symptoms, and gain the tools they need to heal and lead joyful lives again.
There is no doubt that abortion has negatively impacted millions of women and men. Even those who are pro choice are aware of the negative consequences, as evidenced by a continuing growth of groups and web sites dedicated to post abortion stress. We all know someone who is suffering. It may be a daughter who has suddenly changed and you do not know why, a sister who was your best friend but has distanced herself, a wife suffering panic or unable to bond with her current children. Post abortive women are everywhere, in our families, schools, and work places. They are sitting in our pews, waiting for that word of hope that will open the door, and give them the courage they need to step out in faith.
Yes, by the cross Christ has freed us from our sins. It is the only place where there is a love deep enough to heal the sin of abortion. The process will most likely take time, a walk in trust with Christ. It is a trusting in the journey itself, knowing of His care, trusting in His healing no matter what “feelings” may be experienced. Through prayer and relationship with Christ through His holy Mother, He will lead those post abortive to relationship with Him, and to the help they need to heal. As friends and family of those suffering, we can increase our awareness by knowing there are many suffering, and proclaim in different ways the invitation of Christ.
“We are Sinners and you invite us to trust in your Mercy.” May all those who are post abortive accept the invitation…He will not let you down.
