Passion for Life, A Passionist Reflection on Abortion

(The following reflection was offered by Fr. Fredrick Sucher, CP as he reflected on the issue of abortion within Passionist spirituality. A few weeks ago a number of Catholics and friends of the Passionist family went to Washington DC for the March for Life. We hope to share some of their experiences with you this week. But for now we would like to share this article that Fr. Fred wrote a few years ago but which still seems very relevant.)

If the work of Redemption accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary touches the meaning of the human being, that work of God will be concerned with all the elements of human life including the coming into life and the leaving of life in death.

Terminating a human life demands deep understanding and is charged with serious moral implications. The leaders and teachers in the Catholic Church have been providing guidance in many areas of concem. As Passionists we loyally accept that guidance and absorb its vibrant correctness.

The highest teaching authority in the Church, a General Council, reaffirmed the sinfulness of abortion: “Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes..” (Gaudium et Spes, # 51.)

This truth has been reaffirmed again and again by national hierarchies and. Competent theologians have offered much help. Against this background we Passionists can ask ourselves: “Does our commitment to Christ Crucified influence our attitudes toward abortion? Do we have any insights to share?”

We know that the Son of God came to us to share his life to the full. He gave us his life for that very reason. “I am the Good Shepherd, I lay down my life for my sheep.” “Greater love no one has than to give his life.”

While Jesus is concerned chiefly about sharing divine life, the life of grace, a first requirement is a living human being capable of receiving that grace. So our Lord and Savior is necessarily concerned about our very bodily existence and well-being.

So when abortions – the destruction of human life of the unborn is counted in the millions each year across the world and is all too prevalent in our own country, it makes itself present in Christ’s becoming not only the Victim for sin – but as St. Paul writes “sin itself.”

The Son of God, the Son of Mary, appreciates the disappointment of souls who would never know the light of day or breathe in the fragrance of a spring flower. He knew the cruelty and selfishness that prompts the slaughter of innocents. He was to die to seek pardon for all the destroyers of the unborn. St. Luke tells us he sweated blood as he agreed to see himself the victim of sin, including the sin of killing the unborn.

Passionists are called to enter into the mind and sufferings of Christ. The Divine Savior came to call sinners, but he came to call them away from sin and to find their way to God. If Passionists are to have the mind and heart of Christ when facing the tsunami of abortions, we need to share the love of Christ for human kind. The unborn are the most defenseless; civil society refuses to protect them. Agencies exist to promote their killing.

The Heart of Christ pleads for those awaiting birth, bleeds for them. We believe Christ died for all, including  the unborn, that it is his will that they live and come to know him. Passionists must be accompany the Son of God in his bloody sweat in the Garden and in his agonizing in soul a body on the cross, Passionists need to see abortions as the dying Christ sees them and comprehend the injustice to the unborn.

The Apostle Paul wrote that dreadful sentence: “(God) made him to be sin who did not know sin…” (II Cor 5/21). Jesus not only takes away the sins of the world, he takes on himself the world’s sins. The horror of the flood tide of abortions drowns him as he agonizes in the Garden. Life is cheapened and bargained away in the womb for greater ease, for some bauble of consumer goods, selfishness of one kind or another.

Christ died to expiate the sins, he died to bring conversion to the sinners. Passionists need to share Christ’s sorrowing Heart. Passionists need to be steadfast in declaring the evil of abortion. But Passionists also need to speak of the forgiving Heart of Christ. Sorrow and repentance are fitting attitudes, despair and depression have no place. Our God is a forgiving God. A Passionist needs to proclaim the Christ of Calvary is the one who suffered for sin, but equally he is the on~ who brings forgiveness.

The sin of abortion and its relevance to the Son of God makes it relevant to the Passionist as well. It needs to invade his prayer enflame his zeal. If he is a preacher, a missionary he needs to be sure he is giving out the true message in love.

Passionists are called to strengthen the effort of those who strive to turn back the tide of abortions whether in writing or active protests and political activity. Here are issues in which the teaching of Christ and the Cross of Christ have place in the ballot box. Abortion is certainly one such issue.