More Thoughts on Monday's Prayer Service

Some additional reflections this morning from Bishop Morlino on the prayer service from last Monday:

I want to share how meaningful it was to stand in front of the Planned Parenthood Clinic from midnight until 1 a.m. last Sunday. To be with people who are praying and fasting during this 40 day vigil to end abortion is to be uplifted and given new hope.

As we quietly and peacefully prayed, I especially prayed for the unborn, for women who are tempted to abortion, for those women who think that their dignity is increased by the freedom of choice - not understanding that their dignity as women is really taken away by the freedom of choice, for those women who are hurt by the tragedy of abortion, that they will be healed and that they will have hope, and for those who perform these procedures that they will see the truth about them and come to the light.

I prayed for all of those who have kept and who will keep vigil during the 40 Days for Life, with thanksgiving for all that they give and for the sacrifice that they make.

The Scriptures each Sunday of this month have given us much to ponder on life issues. This coming Sunday's readings are especially pointed. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like the rest of humanity, sinful and fallen. The tax collector simply says, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner."

Sometimes, I fear that people who have been part of an abortion see pro-life people as the Pharisees. Instead, we all need to pray as the tax collector does. We need to be the ones who humble ourselves so that others will see that they can be forgiven. We need to open our arms to the wounded, so that they will come for healing.

In the Responsorial Psalm we hear these words of comfort: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." Reach out to those you know who are hurt and brokenhearted. Invite them to speak to any of our priests. Let them know that no sin is unforgivable, that our God is Love and that we, humble people who follow Christ, welcome them.