Moral Ethics On The Valve Of Suffering Concerning Terminal Illness

[centurionguard]

I often read articles in newspaper editorials and magazines concerning (“Mercy Killing”) with the terminally ill and the elderly which does take place in many of today’s hospitals. While I somewhat perceive for a lack of better words the limited rational of a person favoring the ending of suffering for a loved one, and I can certainly empathize with anyone one going through terminal suffering. However; I “cannot” agree with their conclusion that pulling the plug or outright killing a terminally ill patient is the right course of action.

We talk about “mercy” and “compassion” and then society sets out to prematurely end the life of one who is terminally ill. But; in reality, are we not trying to abate our own discomfort and responsibility considering the dignity that all human life is sacred in God?

People are not animals and should not be considered as such (“as in being put out of their misery”). I think that society tries to sterilize life, to get rid of the weak, the sick and those whom people deem as useless.

In doing so we lose opportunities learning to truly love and endure with those who terminally suffer to the end.

Is there value in suffering? I certainly believe there is in whatever form it takes.
Being terminally ill myself with pancreatic cancer, seeing my mother terminally ill and my youngest brother terminally ill with A.L.S. “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) how can I not reach out with my own heart of compassion to understand what it is for others to suffer in dignity.

Helen Keller said; "We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in this world.

Thomas Merton said; "The truth about suffering that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things in life begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.

This of course is a topic that could take books to explore.

 

[Trishie]

St [Padre] Pio

Padre suffered continually for souls and was known to say*—“If you knew the value of suffering, you would never give it up.”* Nevertheless, he prayed for healing for others, and advised anyone in their difficulties to seek divine assistance.* “It is not a loss of patience if one asks Jesus to take away pain, when this becomes insupportable to us and beyond our strength, nor does one lose the merit of the suffering which is offered, by asking this of God.” *

*“Pray that God will console you when you feel the burden of the Cross, for in doing so you are not acting against the will of God, but you are placing yourself beside the Son of God who asked His Father during the Agony in the Garden to send Him some relief. But if He is not willing to give it, be ready to pronounce the same ‘fiat’ that Jesus did.” “When least you are expecting to be liberated, Jesus, who cannot bear to keep you long in affliction, will come and relieve and comfort you, giving you new courage.” *

*“He is the Father of all; He is so in a very special manner for the unhappy.” “The Cross will not crush you; if its weight makes you stagger, its power will also sustain you.” “What does it matter whether Jesus wishes to guide you to heaven by the way of the desert or by the fields, so long as you get there by one way or the other? Put away excessive worrying which results from trials by which the good Lord has desired to test you; and if this is not possible resign yourself to the divine will.” *

*“Humility and purity are the wings which carry us to God.” “Where there is no obedience, there is no virtue.” “Sin against charity is like piercing God in the pupil of the eye.” *“The spirit of God is always a spirit of peace, and in the case of grave sin, it makes us feel a tranquil sorrow, humble, confident, and this is due to His mercy. The spirit of the demon, on the contrary, makes us in our sorrow feel something like anger against ourselves, whereas our first charity must be towards ourselves. So, if certain thoughts agitate you…Such agitation comes from the devil.” “Walk with simplicity in the way of the Lord and do not torment your spirit.”

*“Each soul…is a stone destined to build up the eternal edifice…it has to be polished with the blows of hammer and chisel…these hits of the chisel are the shadows, the fears, the temptations, the afflictions of the spirit, the spiritual tremors with some aroma of desolation, and also physical illness.” *

“Be certain that the more a soul loves God, the less he feels it…God is incomprehensible…so that the more a soul enters into the love of this Supreme Good…this sentiment of love towards Him seems to diminish, to the point of seeming to love Him not at all…Say rather that you love, and that you wish to love with a perfect and consummate love. This good cannot be obtained in its completion except in the next life!”

Surely, Padre Pio has something of the total self-giving of the Saviour. He wrote,* “If I know that a person is afflicted in mind and body, what would I not do to see him freed from his ills, I would willingly take on all his afflictions in order to see him freed, giving up in his favour… the fruits of such suffering if the Lord would permit me.”* [Letters 1, no. 184]

Saint Padre Pio, Saint Therese, Saint Michael, all Saints and Angels, please intercede that we may share the Kingdom of Heaven in the Communion of Saints forever. Intercede for our joyful, humble obedience to divine will, knowing that, “Anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [Mark 10:13]

 

[Bailey2]

*“We talk about “mercy” and “compassion” and then society sets out to prematurely end the life of one who is terminally ill. But; in reality, are we not trying to abate our own discomfort and responsibility considering the dignity that all human life is sacred in God?”
*You are so right on with this. It is all about not facing courageously the fact of mortality and how it isn’t pretty sometimes.

“I think that society tries to sterilize life, to get rid of the weak, the sick and those whom people deem as useless.”
This is true too but again I think it is a form of denial. If I push it away, it won’t come get me. Child’s game.

“In doing so we lose opportunities learning to truly love and endure with those who terminally suffer to the end.”
This has got to be the wisest and holiest thing I have ever read here; especially considering what you say next…

"Is there value in suffering? I certainly believe there is in whatever form it takes. Being terminally ill myself with pancreatic cancer, seeing my mother terminally ill and my youngest brother terminally ill with A.L.S. “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) how can I not reach out with my own heart of compassion to understand what it is for others to suffer in dignity."

thank you and prayers for you,

 

[Hosh]

People who aren’t terminally ill suffer sometimes too. I’ve spent the last 18 months extremely depressed and often suicidal. It would be very difficult to explain why… My point is, seeing people suffer and cope with it can give others strength. That may sound sick, I’m not sure.

As my depression has been slowly lifting over the last 3 months I’ve realized those times when you are really down and feeling hopeless is when learn the most about yourself and the world around you.

 

[jmcrae]

We don’t truly love, until we love someone who can’t possibly give us anything in return - now, or in the future. That’s why Mother Teresa’s love for the dying poor was considered so perfect - there was nothing she could have ever gained from those people - no inheritance, no grateful donations of work or money, nothing.

 

[Bailey2]

As my depression has been slowly lifting over the last 3 months I’ve realized those times when you are really down and feeling hopeless is when learn the most about yourself and the world around you.