Last Friday was released UNPLANNED a movie based on Abby Johnson book with the same name. https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1414348355/ref=sr_1_1_olp?keywords=unplanned&qid=1554098796&s=gateway&sr=8-1  Abby’s story portrays her own journey being in an organization dedicated to selling abortions as a “service” for the youth and most vulnerable women.  Abby’s story is very dramatic but it is a true story of radical conversion.  At the same time, I reflected in the conversion of the prodigal son and I put Abby’s story in perspective. The gospel reading for this Sunday of Lent is telling us of a son who squandered his wealth and inheritance in wild living Luke 15:11–32.  In the same way, Abby was squandering her inheritance: being raised in a pro-life family and having the potential to be a good and caring mother. Instead of living by her values, she went through two abortions herself and joined this infamous organization from being an escort volunteer to a counselor to be a Planned Parenthood clinic director.

My commitment for this Lenten season is to go at least three times to pray for the unborn in front of the abortion clinic (Planned Parenthood) located in Upland.  Last Friday was my second time.  So earlier last Friday, I decided to go and watch this movie after praying with a group of parishioners the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross supporting the campaign of 40 Days for Life.https://40daysforlife.com/

Watching this movie was somehow the material I needed for my homily: the story of a person who was able to recognize her mistakes and go back to the Lord.  She was lost but now she was found. http://www.abbyjohnson.org/

Facing opposition she changed her ways and now she is an advocate for the unborn.  I liked also the open letter she sent to describe why her movie was classified R as a deterrent for many people not to watch it. https://thecatholicspirit.com/news/nation-and-world/an-open-letter-from-abby-johnson-regarding-unplanned-r-rating/  I am not only watching this movie but I am also going to read her book.

As we continue living this Lenten season, it is time for us to practice the works of mercy especially one of the spiritual ones: to pray for the living and the dead… and the unborn as well. http://scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2447.htm