Waiting at the Cross – Lent- March 9

“A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”

As I think back almost 44 years when I had my first abortion, I think of how young, dumb, confused and easily led I was. I trusted that my fiancé and my country had my best interest at heart and would protect me.

When I told my fiancé that I was pregnant he responded, “you have to get rid of “it” or I will leave you, you will be alone, you will be on welfare”, and everything else that spelled: I will not support you.

I told no one. Afraid and alone and having had accompanied two girlfriends to their abortions a few years prior, I just thought it was ok to do. It was legal so what could be wrong?

Arriving at the women’s clinic, I was taken in for counseling. A woman not much older than me, showed me a piece of paper that showed a hand drawn uterus and Fallopian tubes with a small red blotch in the uterus… the woman explained that all was going to happen was that I was just going to have the blob of tissue removed… and so I bought the lie.

The daily reading for today included this verse:

“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

I think back to the evil of abortion that was sanctioned in my generation and how the sign of the Cross is always there for humbled and contrite hearts.

For all the pain, tears and prayers offered in repentance at the foot of the Cross for many of us who were part of the lie, I see new generations fighting for life with so much fervor, hope and joy.

The Liar will always be with us… but it is no match for the Love, joy and forgiveness that waits patiently at the Foot of the Cross to bring us Home. -Diana

Today, pray for those who are still living in the pain of abortion to seek the help they need to find God’s love and forgiveness.