A few weeks ago we read the parable of the Good Samaritan for our gospel reading. In that parable, Jesus teaches a timeless message: Christians are called to love our neighbor. No exceptions. A number of years ago, I had an “Ask the Pastor” session with this year’s graduating eighth-grade class from Bethlehem Lutheran School. At one point, we got onto the topic of abortion, and I remember trying to help them understand just how complicated of an issue this is and how there are many people involved with many different needs.
“Who’s your neighbor?” I asked.
“Is the unborn baby your neighbor?” Yes.
“Is the woman who is considering getting an abortion your neighbor?” Yes.
“Is the doctor who is helping the woman get an abortion your neighbor?” …Yes.
So how do you do what is best for everyone in this situation? Whenever a pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted or unsafe, it presents a difficult situation. Killing one of our neighbors by getting an abortion is bad. So is letting a mother die by denying her needed health care. Pregnancy is often dangerous. Having to choose between lives is possibly the most difficult decision medical professionals can make.
The Declaration of Independence is correct when it says that life is an unalienable, God-given right that governments are created to protect. I can’t help but agree that life was rightfully protected when Roe v. Wade was overturned. But I don’t feel like this is decisive, how stopping win for the right-to-life movement. It may be a baby step in the right direction by reversing a poor judicial ruling from 5 decades ago, but being pro-life and working for the good of each of our neighbors is a never-ending calling for Christians. Giving states the right to protect babies from abortion is a baby step. Providing care and support for all those involved in pregnancy is a much bigger and much more complicated issue. Both pregnant women and children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and Christians are called to love and care for them all.
For better or for worse, the United States of America remains one of the most individualistic nations in the world, and that comes with both strengths and weaknesses. This national commitment to individualism stands in contrast with our calling as Christians to act as members of the body of Christ and to protect all life. All people are valuable simply by nature of being created in the image of God. At its heart, the right-to-life movement is a movement that uplifts the community over individualism. Someone’s individual rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness do not overshadow the right to life of any member of the human community.
First of all, keep praying. Pray for people who believe that abortion should be a right. Pray for those who are being tempted by the lies that the unborn baby is only a potential human being and that abortion is simply “healthcare” and that it is harmless. Pray for those who are facing tremendous pressure from friends and loved ones and even family to get an abortion. Pray for those who are feeling scared and angry because of the Supreme Court’s decision. Pray for the work that community pregnancy clinics like Life Choices do in our community and around the world.
Second, support the work of Life Choices and other organizations that help. Offer them financial support, or even better, find out how you can volunteer to help them. Refer someone you know to them. They help not only pregnant mothers, but also new parents, fathers and mothers, and those who are dealing with an aftermath of an abortion. Life Choices offers all kinds of resources, including the P.A.C.E. program for Post-Abortive Counseling and Education and Bible studies that focus on forgiveness and healing. As a church and school, Bethlehem has participated in baby bottle fundraisers for Life Choices and chosen them as a recipient of our school chapel offerings. We have also referred new parents to them for help, and they have been a blessing to thousands of people in our community.
And third, remember that the church’s greatest gift to the world is forgiveness. Forgiveness is what Christ died for, and forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer to our neighbor. Instead of canceling the sinner, we remember how Christ canceled sin for all people, and that grace that He offers is so powerful that it can offer new life and healing and salvation to any of our neighbors, even if you have had one or more abortions, even if you pushed someone to abort a child, even if you were the doctor who performed them. If you are feeling burdened with particular sins and would like to be personally assured of that forgiveness, you are welcome to contact me to set up a time for individual confession and absolution.
Only Christ’s death could cancel out sin and death. That’s what He did on the cross, once and for all. He did it because He is like the Good Samaritan. He cares for you.