"...they are no more."

From Father Byers comes a moving and inspiring message about the Holy Innocents - and contained therein is a message for and about women who have had an abortion and seek redemption and what that redemption has the power to do.  Much like PJP II's loving message the postabortive woman, Fr. Byers' is loving, tender and hopeful - as all messages to the postabortive should be because of what they could and do bring about if offered.  You can read his full text here...

Rachel Derobe les Idoles de Son Pere

Father George David Byers of Holy Souls Hermitage.

 

Following is the part I loved the most...

"Women who have had an abortion are not abandoned by our Lord. They also can and do[!] find healing, though, in this world, refusing to be consoled, since “they are no more.” There is no sin that is too great for our Lord to forgive. If there were such a sin, we would be God, wouldn’t we? For we would then be more powerful than God. No. Instead, He is good and kind. He knows that killing our children is what we do in our fallen human nature. He knows that this is the reverse of being His image, which He created us to be. Knowing this, He sent His only Son to take on what we deserve, death, so as to have the right in all justice to have mercy on us. God can and does forgive: “Father, forgive them!” is what our demanded on the Cross! Yes, women who repent of their abortions can and do[!] find forgiveness and downright enthusiastic friendship with our Lord both in this life and the life to come. That they “refuse to be consoled” is one of those things from which our Lord draws great good. Women who have had an abortion note other children who would be the same age as their own children had they not been aborted. This can go on for a lifetime. HOWEVER, this is not an invitation to get depressed and go into despair. Instead, it is an opportunity to calmly pray for the conversion of women about to have an abortion or who have had an abortion. It is an opportunity to pray for the conversion of abortionists and for politicians. We are enjoined to pray for our rulers, that we might have peace upon the earth. I’m guessing that most of such prayer goes up before the throne of God, like a pleasing incense, as sent by women who have repented of their abortions and who are now friends with our Lord Jesus, who, by His grace, has claimed them for a heavenly eternity. Very awesome, that."