[A frequent addition to my parish's Sunday bulletin is a "Pro-Life News" insert. Today's page contained the following poem, from Fr. Frank Pavone's "Priests for Life"]

I Began a New Day
(A Post-Abortion Poem)

In a far away place and a different time,
I killed my first child, a most heinous crime.

The state didn't come, and I didn't stand trial.
Judge Blackmun was calm when he said with a smile,

"Killing is legal," say we the High Court
"But don't call it murder, Just call it 'abort.'"

The judge in my heart would not let the case rest.
I had no defense when once put to the test.

Found guilty I was by my heart's "supreme court."
"You murdered your baby!" it screamed in retort.

With tears on my cheeks it was too late, I knew
to bring back the life of the child I once slew.

The gavel slammed down, and it rang in my head,
"You are guilty as charged, and deserve to be dead.

We now give you torment to pay for your sin," was the
sentence passed down from my own court within.

"You will never escape. You're branded. Don't hide.
Your just due is death. You should try suicide."

I was beaten in prison by daily attack.
I was paying a debt, so I never fought back,

No hope of escaping, and this I knew well.
I cried out to God from my own self-made hell.

That day I met Jesus. He smiled in my face.
He said, "I forgive you. Come walk in my grace."

"Lord, I believe you forgive me, and yet,
Blameless you are. Can you pay for my debt?

"And Lord, please don't touch me, for I am unclean.
I'm filthy with murder, a most wretched being."

I poured out my story. He showed no surprise.
I gazed up with awe at the love in His eyes.

"I paid for your crime, yes, was nailed to a tree.
There's no condemnation, if you'll trust in Me.

"I took on your blame and your curse on My soul
So you may be free without judgment and whole."

I sputtered, "Dear Lord, where's the justice in this?
I killed my first son, and you offer me bliss?"

Tears blurred my vision, yet there on His face
Were eyes of compassion, blue oceans of grace.

I thought to myself, "Now the past has been buried?
I'm free of the guilt that for years I have carried?"

He said to accept. It's a gift that is free.
This is atonement, not justice for me!

My judge was dismissed, my accusers, and jury.
The truth of His love made them leave in a fury.

He smiled, "Walk with Me and come learn My way."
And grasping His hand, I began a new day.

------- Anonymous

[If you are hurting from an abortion, please call "Project Rachel" toll-free at 1-888-456-HOPE. People are waiting to help you.]

[From Pope John Paul II, "The Gospel of Life" (Evangelium vitae), also from the bulletin insert:]

"I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. 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 give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

"You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and 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, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life."

JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), July 20, 2003

Answers

John, that was beautiful!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), July 20, 2003.

Thanks, Gail. I thought so too, so I wanted to share it. I hope that it will help someone in need.
JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), July 20, 2003.

Thank you, John. Theresa

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), July 21, 2003.