Cast Away – Lent March 11

Today’s Readings

The verse before today’s gospel is at the heart of the message of Jesus. “Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourself a new heart and a new spirit.”

Those of us who have had an abortion, participated in an abortion or encouraged a  friend or relative to have an abortion have not been abandoned by the Divine Mercy of Jesus. He invites each of us to make a new heart and spirit with the gift he has given to us, The Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we are forgiven, we are asked to forgive those who hurt Us in the past. Those who abandoned us at the time of the abortion, the healthcare workers who performed the abortion, and the father or mother of our children.

Jesus reassures us that he has forgiven us through his Divine Mercy. Our children have forgiven us and long that we remember them and develop a spiritual life with them.

We must forgive ourselves to grow in faith. Forgiveness is difficult and painful. How do we forgive ourselves when we are responsible for the death of our child? Only through time, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist. The examples of the forgiveness of Jesus and our children are role models for us. They lead us to forgive.

It has been forty-two years since I had an abortion. I still ask for God’s forgiveness and healing.

I accept that I can never be fully healed until I am reunited with my children in Heaven. The Mass has become a blessing for me. Each time the priest holds up the chalice, I pray the blood of Christ will heal my wounds of abortion and I tell my children I love them.

In a book on mercy Pope Francis wrote:

“In moments of sin,
In moments of weakness,
In moments of failure,
I have seen Jesus and I trusted him. He has not left me alone.”

May this Lenten season be a gift to you and may you see Jesus and trust in His Divine Mercy and pass it on to others.

SY