Did Jesus die for the mother who ends her child's life in abortion? We believe that abortion is the killing of a lite because we believe that life begins when God says it begins; at conception. Because the child in the womb is a human being, it is a breaking of the 5th Commandment when a woman has an abortion. Yes, the 5th Commandment says, "You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor and his body, but help and support him in every physical need." Yes, abortion is a breaking of the 5th Commandment and murder. Did Jesus die on the cross for murderers, including women who have abortions? Yes, He assumed every murderers actions and intent on the cross and put those sins to death so that they may be forgiven.

But, is the women walking into the abortion clinic thinking, "I am breaking the 5th Commandment. I am a murderer? I am killing a living being?" Is the woman walking in to get an abortion confident in herself and comfortable with who she is? Is she happy while she walks into the clinic to end her child's life? Does the woman who walks into the abortion clinic someone who knows Jesus loves them? Is this a woman who feels the love of Christ, knows she is forgiven, and believes that Jesus will take care of her and her child no matter how anxious the days ahead? Is the 5th Commandment the main issue? It is part of why we are against abortion, but not the entire reason. When a woman has an abortion she does not see Jesus as her merciful Lord who loves her, forgives her, and claims her as His own forever. Women who have abortions are women who feel alone, that no one else is there for them, including God. Did Jesus die on the cross for those who don't believe that God loves them, is there for them, and will take care of them? Yes, Jesus died on the cross for the woman who, doubting God's love and protection, ends her child's life because she believes that is the only solution to her worries and anxieties. 

Jesus Himself says, " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).  Jesus says this to the woman who is thinking about having an abortion. He bids her come and listen to all that He will do for her and how He will take care of her and her baby. Yes, the father may be a deadbeat who isn't in the picture, her parents may be angry and embarrassed, and her friends may be telling her an abortion is the only option. However, in the midst of this darkness shines forth the light of Christ. Where does that light shine? it shines in His children, the Church, where His Gospel of forgiveness is preached and the sacraments are administered to weak sinners who need to be forgiven and strengthened to struggle with the burdens of this life. Yes, the woman desiring to have an abortion is to be tended to as well, knowing that she feels alone. However, she is not alone, but Christ is always with her, and His Church is called to be here for her and with her to take care of her and her child. It is the Church's vocation to bear the burdens of the world, to bear the burdens of our neighbor, and that includes the women who wants to have an abortion.

Jesus bids the woman who wants to have an abortion, and the woman who has had an abortion. Yes, the woman who has had an abortion does not walk around singing the praises of her child's death. No, you will probably never know if a woman had an abortion because she is afraid of judgment without any hope of redemption. Jesus calls the woman who had an abortion to come and be forgiven. Yes, the only solution to the absolute problem of guilt is holy absolution. Yes, the woman who had an abortion will be burdened with guilt as long as she bears it alone. No, Jesus came and bore that guilt for her on the cross.

Yes, you who have had an abortion, Jesus went to the cross for you. He did not go to the cross for you at your strongest moments, but for your weakest days. Yes, Jesus died on the cross to meet you and me down int he sewer, where we have committed our worst sins. Yes, our sinful nature will tell us that we didn't do anything that can't be forgotten eventually. Yes, the world will tell you and I we haven't done anything in need of forgiveness, but rather have exercised our individual freedoms. Yes, the devil will come and say, "You want to be forgiven, but do you really think Jesus will forgive you, you who killed your own child." Yes is our response. Yes, Jesus does forgive me no matter what I've done. Yes, Jesus wants to forgive me my sin and remove all guilt from my heart.

To you who have had an abortion, Jesus says to you, "Take heart, my little daughter. I am here for you. I forgive you. I remember your sin no more. I know you were weak, but I am here for you. There is nothing that will separate you from Me. I will not abandon you. I will not turn my back on you. I will never stop loving you." Yes, you who have had an abortion, the Church is here for you, not to condemn you, but to comfort you in the forgiveness of your sins and walk with you through life so you never feel alone, because you are not alone. Jesus is with you, as is His Bride the Church. Jesus died for the sin of abortion, and that means you are forgiven. Also know that the church is here for you when you are thinking of having an abortion. We are sinners, this is true, but the Church is where Christ works through sinners to help other sinners through the strife of this life as we wait for the joys of heaven immortal. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you may hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Shedpdog