Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

I love the gospel reading of the woman caught in adultery. It is not surprise since as post abortive people we all can relate to her. I am sure her feelings were very much the same as the ones we have experienced. Guilt, shame, confusion, anxiety, fear of condemnation. I am sure she felt like the worst sinner in the world.

But Jesus did not condemn her, instead we are told, he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. I often think of how He did this so that she would not feel ashamed or embarrassed. He did not want to increase her anxiety and fear but instead wanted to invite her to trust in His mercy.

Unlike Jesus, the people around her were condemning her. They had picked up their stones ready to put her to death, but Jesus, knowing the sinfulness of every person, changed the course of events. “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” A call for them to look at their own lives instead of judging hers, and one by one they left, aware of their own sinfulness…aware that each of us needs the mercy of God.

“Go, but do not sin again.” I know what that woman felt like. She experienced overwhelming gratitude for the forgiveness and mercy of God, but also a call to amend her life. A call to change her ways so that she does not sin again….so she does not hurt others, and also herself. A challenge to grow in true love, the love of God. By His grace may we sin no more, and invite others to the same mercy he has shows to us.