As I was looking through some magazines at my uncle's new parish here at Binakayan, I saw this magazine that really caught my attention merely by scanning at the cover. The magazine caught my attention, that I just had to read it. The magazine is KERYGMA No. 199 Vol. 16 December 2006 issue. The article that took my attention is entitled "The Gift of Peace".What took me to that article was the photo caption inside. The photo caption says that it is an anonymous sharing from someone who found forgiveness after an abortion.
Abortion, refers to the process of terminating the life of an unborn child not only through mechanical means that are usually done in discreet, dark and dangerous alleys, but includes taking abortifacient pills, herbal concoctions being sold in Quiapo, or even doing strenuous physical activities to discontinue a pregnancy. In truth, it is really murder - the act of killing the baby inside the womb. (Kerygma, Dec.2006 page 24)
Going back to the article, it started when Beth learned that she is pregnant and
her boyfriend who got her pregnant is not of the marriage type. Both Beth and Matt agreed that they are not getting married.
Beth is a 20 year old 4th year college student and is still living with her parents. At that time, she isn't living her faith and was not even going to church. Matt on the other hand is an activist student who didn't believe in God.
As Beth was still living with her very strict parents, she was scared that if she didn't get married they would have a fit specially if they found out that she was pregnant. But marrying Matt was not an option. Her boyfriend's solution was to take her to an abortionist, a quack. Beth then learned that abortion, like rape, could take place against your will. She was screaming "You're killing my baby" while the abortion was done.
The abortion was a botched up job, a poor piece of work that she could have died. The bleeding did not stop and Matt brought her to the hospital but also abandoned her there. She was alone, waiting in a cold room, shivering, with the fetus in a kidney pan beside her. Then a priest came and blessed the life that they had taken abruptly. Beth tried asking for the priest's forgiveness, but the priest left without even looking at her nor any words of comfort or forgiveness.
For the next part of her life, Beth lived it the best as she can. Remorse, guilt and shame were all buried. Living with a pagan existence - fun and enviable on the surface, but empty inside. A hole in the middle of her heart that sprang from her estrangement from God, which no amount of money, success or relationship could fill.
Days past, then months, then years. The door back to God's kingdom was opened bit by bit. It started by Beth attending Sunday masses, then a talk with a Jesuit priest who had lawyered for her before God. With that, Beth received God's forgiveness and took her back to His kingdom.
Unfortunately, though she was forgiven by God, the hole in her heart was still there. Beth continued on with her life. She had achieved her 5-year, 10-year goals ahead of schedule, and was constantly traveling. Beth didn't realize that all her travels was her way of trying to run away from the emptiness within her. Had she not been restless on one of her trips abroad, she would not have thought of reading the Bible. Beth read the Bible randomly and felt comforted by God's words. She then began attending prayer meetings.
Months later, problems came her way. Her career, finances, health and her love life were in turmoils.
"My world, as I had built it, was falling apart. When the last piece slipped from beneath my feet and I hit rock bottom, God was there. He carried me in His hand ever so tenderly." Beth narrates.
She then attended a Life on the Spirit seminar, accepted God as her Savior and renounced her faith. With that, the problems she had were solved, and most of all, the hole in her heart got filled..forever!
"That was the greatest grace I received-to finally know peace. I felt embraced by God's love, truly forgiven and completed by His presence. God became my constant companion and I was never lonely again. I could hear God's voice speaking in my heart.
God has given me the grace to wait for His plan for me to unfold, and the certainty that, no matter what, He will be there with me. I try to live for Him, albeit imperfectly, but I go on.
Each day, there is this unspeakable joy in my heart - because of Him who loves me perfectly." Beth concludes.
--- As we go on with our everyday lives, we sometimes forget that God is always with us especially when we are happy. We only remember Him during our trials, challenges and sufferings. But we must always remember that even though we always do forget Him, He would never forget nor turn His back on us. Dreams and wishes do come true and prayers are answered. It may not happen during your lifetime, but it would happen nonetheless.
***The names Beth and Matt in this blog are names provided by myself and not of the magazine so that readers may not get confused, again, the article was from an anonymous writer.***
Going back to the article, it started when Beth learned that she is pregnant and
her boyfriend who got her pregnant is not of the marriage type. Both Beth and Matt agreed that they are not getting married.Beth is a 20 year old 4th year college student and is still living with her parents. At that time, she isn't living her faith and was not even going to church. Matt on the other hand is an activist student who didn't believe in God.
As Beth was still living with her very strict parents, she was scared that if she didn't get married they would have a fit specially if they found out that she was pregnant. But marrying Matt was not an option. Her boyfriend's solution was to take her to an abortionist, a quack. Beth then learned that abortion, like rape, could take place against your will. She was screaming "You're killing my baby" while the abortion was done.
The abortion was a botched up job, a poor piece of work that she could have died. The bleeding did not stop and Matt brought her to the hospital but also abandoned her there. She was alone, waiting in a cold room, shivering, with the fetus in a kidney pan beside her. Then a priest came and blessed the life that they had taken abruptly. Beth tried asking for the priest's forgiveness, but the priest left without even looking at her nor any words of comfort or forgiveness.
For the next part of her life, Beth lived it the best as she can. Remorse, guilt and shame were all buried. Living with a pagan existence - fun and enviable on the surface, but empty inside. A hole in the middle of her heart that sprang from her estrangement from God, which no amount of money, success or relationship could fill.
Days past, then months, then years. The door back to God's kingdom was opened bit by bit. It started by Beth attending Sunday masses, then a talk with a Jesuit priest who had lawyered for her before God. With that, Beth received God's forgiveness and took her back to His kingdom.
Unfortunately, though she was forgiven by God, the hole in her heart was still there. Beth continued on with her life. She had achieved her 5-year, 10-year goals ahead of schedule, and was constantly traveling. Beth didn't realize that all her travels was her way of trying to run away from the emptiness within her. Had she not been restless on one of her trips abroad, she would not have thought of reading the Bible. Beth read the Bible randomly and felt comforted by God's words. She then began attending prayer meetings.
Months later, problems came her way. Her career, finances, health and her love life were in turmoils.
"My world, as I had built it, was falling apart. When the last piece slipped from beneath my feet and I hit rock bottom, God was there. He carried me in His hand ever so tenderly." Beth narrates.
She then attended a Life on the Spirit seminar, accepted God as her Savior and renounced her faith. With that, the problems she had were solved, and most of all, the hole in her heart got filled..forever!
"That was the greatest grace I received-to finally know peace. I felt embraced by God's love, truly forgiven and completed by His presence. God became my constant companion and I was never lonely again. I could hear God's voice speaking in my heart.
God has given me the grace to wait for His plan for me to unfold, and the certainty that, no matter what, He will be there with me. I try to live for Him, albeit imperfectly, but I go on.
Each day, there is this unspeakable joy in my heart - because of Him who loves me perfectly." Beth concludes.
--- As we go on with our everyday lives, we sometimes forget that God is always with us especially when we are happy. We only remember Him during our trials, challenges and sufferings. But we must always remember that even though we always do forget Him, He would never forget nor turn His back on us. Dreams and wishes do come true and prayers are answered. It may not happen during your lifetime, but it would happen nonetheless.
***The names Beth and Matt in this blog are names provided by myself and not of the magazine so that readers may not get confused, again, the article was from an anonymous writer.***
No comments:
Post a Comment