The devil often tells two lies to women who have had an abortion.

The first one is before the abortion: “Abortion is not really a big deal-you will never regret this action” and the second one is after abortion: “Abortion is such a big sin that you can never be forgiven or healed.” The second lie is even more insidious than the first because it makes women despair of God’s mercy. Both lies are told to the woman in isolation, and it is precisely through a relationship, through a community, that these lies are exposed, first perhaps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then enlarged upon in the prayerful space at Bethesda. Within the safe space of the Bethesda community, men and women can finally open themselves more fully to the grace and loving mercy of God.

The Lord Jesus promised that he would be present in a community: “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be in their midst” -and this promise is visible and realized at Bethesda.

Please help women who may feel isolated in this way find Bethesda. Share this post, ask to have it shared in your church bulletin, tweet it, pin it, and please pray for the men and women in this ministry. Thank you!

Thank you to Seminarian Jonathan Howell for writing the bulk of this post