Together with other local bloggers, I have taken to dedicating First Fridays to praying and fasting for an end to Roe v. Wade and abortion in general.
I went to adoration and knelt before the Lord. I gazed at Him, and He gazed at me, and many things flowed between us, some of which I know I don’t fully comprehend. But one thing I did understand is that we, each and every one of us, belong to Him. We are entrusted to human parents, but we are His first. Abortion kills His children, by His children. And so, the little ones in their mothers’ wombs are killed physically, but everyone involved in the action–the mothers, the doctors and nurses, the staff, anybody who assisted in procuring the abortion, anybody who in any way supports the provision of abortion–is killed spiritually (though many of the mothers also are killed physically). They are killed spiritually, because by their actions, they are cutting themselves off from the Source of all Life.
As I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, I understood why He agonized and suffered and bled and died… He did it so that we might be whole and healed and have life. He did it so that we might be spared such torment and humiliation and death. And yet in our country, we violate and destroy even the most vulnerable lives, literally tearing them to pieces. Not only that, but we do so with a sickening abandon, with the support of federal law and of many public leaders and citizens–often ordinary people who seem otherwise perfectly decent. But these are the people who crowned our Lord and King with thorns, mocked Him, spat on Him, rained blows upon Him–Him and His rule and His laws. But even that’s not enough. Even the blood of our King isn’t enough–they allow the blood of His littlest children to run along with His, in great torrents every day in the United States, this nation built upon human rights and human dignity. Today, in many ways, it would be more suited to the likes of Nero and Caligula.
If that sounds like a harsh indictment of this country… well, that’s exactly how I intend it. Not because I hate this country or my countrymen, but because I dread God’s perfect justice upon men and nations. I long for that justice… but I also dread it. Our Lord knows, and understands that. He Himself would far rather grant mercy than justice, and He demands the same of us. And so, we must do what we can to fight the horrible scourge of abortion… but we must also be patient, merciful, and forebearing. I often find it a very difficult, confusing, frustrating line to walk–a narrow path indeed! It is hard to remain patient, merciful, and forebearing in the face of such outrageous evil! But I know that the Lord has everything under control… He sees everything, He knows everything, He understands everything. His wisdom and His timing, like everything about Him, are perfect.
And so, for me, praying and fasting and entrusting matters to Him (EDIT: Oh, and let’s not forget blogging!) seem like the surest way to make things right. I am open to being more active in the movement against abortion, and I have been trying to discern, with God’s guidance, how I might do that. On the other hand, self-knowledge has also taught me that where I am concerned… sometimes, less is more.
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June 7, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Tausign
I agree with your assessment and you’ve expressed my sentiments exactly. It’s such a maddening dilemma, and yet we must give ourselves to the Lord in prayer and sacrifice even though we may never see a resolution in our lifetimes. You are wise to recognize the falsity of violence and turmoil which includes bringing our own spirit to quietude, recollection, and peace.
Our Lady has been calling people to repentance and sacrifice for ever it seems. Note the messages of all the apparitions…pray and do penance. I have often wondered why we haven’t heard a worldwide call to prayer for this nation in the way we did for the conversion of Russia.
Last year I participated in the 40 days for life campaign at a local abortion mill. I didn’t even know that there were abortions being performed in the same building I went to see my general practicioner. Since I lived very close I was there nearly every other day to cover any open hours not filled. While I was slightly apprehensive before my first ‘hour’, I quickly came to experience great peace in praying and witnessing to life. Even a few people who noticed my daily presence approached me to ‘hear what I had to say’.
Personally, though I love my nation and its people genuinely, I still fear we have a ‘violent’ spirit. Its rugged individualism and ‘Wild West’ solutions to problems, show up in our inability to reduce crime and our proclivity to war. Abortion plays into the same general worldview and so I think our solution requires ‘true Christian conversion’ in general rather than any specific legislation, constitutional amendment, etc.
My prayers are aligned with yours. Peace and all good.
June 7, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Practicing Catholic
Thank you for your comments.
I think you are very right… our country needs a “true Christian conversion.”
The U.S. has a huge reputation, both at home and abroad, for being very religious, and particularly very Christian. But reputation and practical living don’t always match up… I would go so far as to say that many Christians in this country are actually practical atheists, or at least practical non-Christians. “Practical” referring to how they live in practice.
June 7, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Lexington
So many whose lives have been affected by abortion, or support the pro-choice movement, have no understanding at all of what an indelible impact the taking of an innocent life has upon those involved. It also robs us, as well, for we are all united as God Children, and each life is meant as a gift to us collectively.
Many parishes where I reside boast some pro life involvement. If yours does not, perhaps you should check at a neighboring one.
And yes; sometimes presence in or by a building is enough of a spiritual statement. If we pray while near these clinics (slaughterhouses), Our Lady brings them before Our Lord, so their impact may be magnified. Whatever you can offer Her in terms of your level of commitment would please Her so much. Her Womb housed The King of Kings, so violence against pregnancy must distress Her terribly.
Blessings,
-Lexington
of Castle Wyvern
June 8, 2008 at 12:48 am
Practicing Catholic
Lexington: Absolutely, we are all robbed. I think about that often… how many of my friends, love interests, classmates, colleagues, et al., have possibly been killed by abortion? Even if I knew that some of those dead children would have grown up to be my enemies, I would rather have them here and alive than dead! And how many scholars, artists, doctors, scientists, peacemakers, heroes, et al. are we now missing out on because they were considered worthless before they were even born?
I think about it especially now that I am in my early 30s and my life is really just taking off. There are millions of people in this country who should be my age, at this same great stepping-out point in life. People who should be having a real impact on our world and on our lives. And they never even got to see the light of day.
Abortion is not just a personal tragedy, but also a scourge on society and all mankind. It is not just a personal choice that is nobody else’s business, but rather it effects everybody and sends ripples through the whole world.
As for getting involved… fortunately, there are a number of opportunities where I live. I just need to determine which is the right one. Meanwhile, I support the efforts with my prayers, fasting, adoration, etc.