People who have experienced great love in their lives often want to and are willing to suffer with those who are on the cross - to share their love with them as they take on the others suffering
People who come to the cross out of suffering learn how to love there. They surrender their wounds to Christ whose love always takes them deeper into their healing I have found this to the case for me with abortion.
I believe Mary Magdalene experience both. She lived at the cross in her sinful lifestyle I am sure suffering greatly with no concept of love. Then she met Jesus who embraced her with his love and mercy and gave her dignity as a child of God. It was this love she was shown and she embraced that led her to Calvary.
I always say we cannot honestly look at our abortion experience without first knowing the love of God. It would be too painful and hopeless, but once we experience the truth of what He did for us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our redemption, hope is born and we begin to see our healing in a different light
It is no longer about beating ourselves up, rationalizing, justifying or making up for our abortions, it is living the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ because of what He has done for us. This amazing grace gives us the courage to both suffer and love. As they fuse together and open the door to heaven through the mystery of the cross no matter how we got there.
(carving by The Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem)
