The Miracle of Mercy
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“God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8
The meeting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-42) is a favorite of mine, filled with hope for those who have strayed far from the Lord. Each of us, like this woman, is loved and called by Jesus, who offers us endless mercy.
Jesus knows that this woman is living in a sinful relationship with a man who is not her husband. He knows everything about her, yet He doesn’t hesitate to engage her in a discussion and invite her to receive the water of life. He must know something else about her. That she is more than the sum of her sins. That she has the potential to convert and become a true follower of the Gospel, even to evangelize others. He is willing to die for her, to give her that second (or third, or fourth) chance. In this story, Jesus teaches us that our past does not define us, grace does not exclude us, and mercy is ours for the asking.
This story is full of hope for those who feel they are beyond God’s grace because of their sins. It is an especially vital message for the many women suffering from grief and regret after an abortion.
John Paul II’s message to women who have had an abortion extends that same invitation from the heart of the Church – “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 lose hope.”
He calls for conversion – “The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child.”
He recognizes that our darkest moments, once brought into the light of Christ’s forgiveness, can become a source of healing for others – “…as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life… you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life” (Gospel of Life, ¶99).
Like the Samaritan woman, let’s share this Good News with everyone we meet, so that not one soul will be lost to despair.
Born and raised in a faithful Catholic family, I wandered far from my faith for nearly two decades. Through the infinite mercy of Christ and His Church, I found my way back home to the Catholic Church in the early 90s, and began a path of rediscovery of the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in Christian Tradition. A stay-at-home Mom for many years, my Church ministries grew to include teaching Catechism and First Eucharist classes, writing and facilitating retreats for healing after abortion, and becoming active in pro-life work with our local 40 Days for Life campaign in the Tri-Cities, Washington as an organizer, participant, speaker, and writer. My desire to share the greatest gift of my life, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and His Divine Mercy, has found expression in my writing. My articles have been published locally in the Tri-City Herald's Spiritual Life and editorial columns; in the Carmelite Digest; Celebrate Life magazine; and recently in the National Catholic Register.
Links to these articles and more can be found on my blog at http://www.catholicethics.blogspot.com/. My Catholic Ethics page is on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEthics.
