For All Those Who Mourn... Meditations on Mercy

“At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing.”

There is nothing that breaks a parent’s heart like the death of a child. In both readings (1 Kgs 17:17-24; Lk 7:11-17) for June 5th, the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Lord takes compassion on a brokenhearted mother and restores her child to life. God hears the prayers of those who mourn; He counts every tear, and responds by doing what every loving parent would do: gives his own life to save His children. Death is not the victor; the Lord transforms our mourning into dancing.

Jesus offers us the gift of eternal life, but He will not force us to accept it. But imagine His heartbreak when we reject Him, choosing death for our souls. This breaks the heart of a loving Father, who mourns for His lost children. Desiring all to be saved, our Church has declared this a Year of Mercy, extending a call especially to the millions of women and men whose hearts are broken and souls darkened by the tragic sin of abortion. Abortion is heartbreak visited on desperate mothers seeking a way out of a difficult situation. At some point, when a woman recognizes the loss of her own child, she experiences profound grief and regret. The Church desires these women to come to the source of all healing, Jesus Christ.

As St. John Paul II wrote in the Gospel of Life, "The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope... The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Reconciliation with God through the Sacrament of Repentance is the beginning of healing the wounds of abortion, but often more is needed to address the trauma and grief experienced by post-abortive women. The Catholic Church was the first to recognize this need and extend help through the Bishops’ ministry of Project Rachel. Now, over 40 years later, the Church is still extending God’s mercy through cooperation with ministries like Rachel's Vineyard Retreats, offered in hundreds of locations. This retreat is a time set aside for all those wounded by abortion to lay down their burdens and the wounds of their past and allow the Divine Physician to heal them. The Lord desires that all those who hide in darkness and the shadow of death let His healing light shine upon them. He longs to fill His beloved children with His peace, and restore them to life. If you or someone you know is suffering the wounds of abortion, there is hope, there is healing. Jesus longs to renew your heart. Do not fear, come to Him and experience forgiveness and peace.