Pro-Life Good Samaritans

This reflection is taken from my 40 Days for Life e-mail update for today.

Today's devotional is a reflection on Christ's parable of the Good Samaritan.

In many ways, the women -- and men -- who have experienced abortion are a lot like the victim who was left by the side of the road.

They've been hurt -- and had their money taken -- by those who cared nothing for them or their well being... or for what happened to them after the deed was done.

Can you and I be Good Samaritans to a brother or sister in need?

"God is drawing people to 40 Days for Life who have experienced abortion firsthand," said Ed in Everett, Washington. "They have either had an abortion or they have encouraged others to abort their child."

Ed has seen the damage this causes. "A woman approached me who had pen and paper in hand, held tightly to her chest. She looked teary-eyed, and started to ask questions of what was going on here,what were we doing, and what are we about."

At first, he thought the woman was a reporter. "But as we continued talking, she shared that she had an abortion years ago, and regretted it. It was humbling."

Virginia in Las Vegas notes that at the 40 Days forLife vigil outside the abortion facility there, "we had a man from a neighboring architect's office join us in tears to tell us how he had strayed from his faith and participated in the killing of three babies. Today, he stood with us."

She notes that in dealing with women just leaving the clinic following an abortion -- as well as those supporting them and clinic employees as well, "It is critical to feel love for them and operate from the premise that 'they know not what they do.'"

On my recent stop in Bakersfield, California, I appeared for an in-studio interview on a popular secular talk show on KNZR radio, hosted by a man named Jaz McKay.We talked on the air about the hurt that women andmen can carry with them for years after abortion.

We talked about it off the air as well. During the commercial break, this big burly man choked up as he told me how he had participated in two abortions years earlier and said, "I hope God can forgive me."

I assured him that indeed God could forgive him.

When I left the studio, I didn't hear what happened next. Jaz continued talking on air about the pain and regret that haunts people -- and how one of the millions of men hurt by abortion was Jaz McKay.

He admitted to his listeners that as a young man, he had paid for two abortions, and has spent the years ever since praying for forgiveness.

I am certain that Jay's heartfelt confession impacted many thousands of listeners that afternoon.

It's powerful. It's heart-wrenching. And if you have a mere five minutes to invest, it's worth a listen:

http://40days.glorifyjesus.com/daily/?p=91

As Jaz said, "We've got to stop this madness."

Thanks to Tim Palmquist of the Bakersfield 40 Days for Life campaign for his hard work and dedication...and for capturing this truly remarkable recording.

If you -- or someone you know -- need compassionate assistance in the aftermath of abortion, please checkout the resources available from Abortion Recovery International at:

http://www.AbortionRecoveryInternational.org

Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,

National Director of Priests for Life...

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DAY 8 INTENTION

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May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens

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SCRIPTURE

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Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on theother side."

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."-- Luke 10:30-37

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

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Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

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PRAYER

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Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.

Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.