Last week a woman from another state called me because she had read an article I wrote about the effects of abortion (To Heal the Sin-Sick Soul). In it I mentioned how when someone comes to me in confession with that sin I have the image of a beautiful white rabbit who caught her foot in a trap. She cannot pull herself free so in desperation she gnaws off the paw and leaves it in the trap. But the rest of her life she wanders crippled.
The lady on the phone then told me that she had an abortion some twenty years ago. At that time she was assured her problem would be over, but it turned out it was only beginning. She did some drinking and partying to help her forget. But one day, after years of denial and buried memories, the reality hit. In a subsequent email, she described it:
She did eventually receive the necessary strength to make a complete confession. It was such a wonderful relief. The priest encouraged her to participate in Project Rachel which has given her much compassion and help. But she also received a most extraordinary blessing.
One day while she was attending Sunday Mass, a girl about seven years came to her. Perhaps the girl saw she had a broken heart. At any rate, the child wanted to show her something. When the woman saw what was in her hand, she stared in amazement. It was a rabbit’s foot! What are the odds that any child today would have such an old, worn toy? And the odds become astronomical that she would present it to a stranger during Mass. Jesus will sometimes go to great lengths to teach us a very basic truth: He not only wants to forgive us, he wishes to make us whole.
Brothers and sisters, that is what Lent is about - to open ourselves to the mercy God desires to pour into our souls and thru us to others. The ways of receiving his mercy are tried and true: Fasting, particularly to observe the discipline of meatless Fridays during Lent. Prayer, I make a special invitation that you spend an hour each week before the Blessed Sacrament. Almsgiving, place the Rice Bowl on your family table. Jesus will lavish grace upon us this holy season. We only need to strip away some of the distractions and spend some time in the desert with him.
In conclusion I can do no better than quote from the woman presented with the rabbit’s foot:
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From the Archives:
Complete List of Homilies for First Sunday of Lent ("Temptation Sunday"):
Ash Wednesday homilies:
Other Homilies
Seapadre Homilies: Cycle A, Cycle B, Cycle C
SMV Bulletin (be patient - sometimes we have problems uploading)
40 Days for Life (Everett, WA)
Archbishop Dolan: Letting Crisis Pregnancy Centers Do Their Work
Bill Donohue: IF ONLY PRIESTS WERE TEACHERS
SMV Bulletin (be patient - sometimes we have problems uploading)
Parish Picture Album
Separated at birth?
Alejandro
(A child in Peru who needs your help)
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