Euthanasia - A Practice of Humanity or A Denial of Divinity?

There are a growing number of stories in the news and social media these days about individuals of varying ages who, upon receiving a terminal or life debilitating diagnosis, choose to end their lives with the highly debated and controversial method of assisted suicide. I wonder how many of these children of God make this decision without thought or care of what the Father may have in mind for them? Are they indifferent to the graces that could be theirs through His love and mercy if they were to wait for His will to be done in their lives? Do they think of God at all?

Our humanity most likely responds to such events in agreement and understanding. But, what about the lives we are asked to live in Christ? What about the presence of His divinity in our lives? What about the hearts and minds we have freely given over to Him? For those of us who have been called to this vocation, which in reality is all of us, we see these stories as a sad turning away from God. At least, that’s how I, in my deepening Catholic faith, see it.

God never promises that we won't know suffering in our lives. He does promise that He will be with us through whatever He allows. Suffering is difficult for us as humans to comprehend. We think, if God is a loving God, why would he permit suffering? What we need to understand is that through any hardship we endure in this life is the opportunity to connect with Jesus on the cross. We can believe that that connection is redemptive for us, as well as for other suffering souls. He asks us, with the gift of free will, to give our lives over to Him and His will for us, then promises we will know the joy of His Holy Presence. Suffering gives us an opportunity to come as close to Him who died for us as possible. That is a grace and a blessing. But, we have to be open to that call. If we choose our own time and manner of death, we leave God out of the decision, therefore rejecting His will. In essence, it is the ultimate declaration of, “I know better than you, God”.

By His Holy grace, I have come to trust God's will in my own life. He is renewing my heart and my mind to become more like Him. I am learning patience and perseverance in His daily presence. And, I believe His will for me is to share all that I am learning to understand of His ways, which are so much higher than ours. In short, in my suffering (I live with an ever-present movement disorder) I am being made holy in a way I could never achieve on my own. I do not mean to imply that this is easy — I am, after all, an imperfect human being. My weaknesses make themselves apparent every day. Yet, through my weakness, He is made strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9) But, I do wish to impart hope that His light can lead all of us to know Him completely — mind, heart, and soul. If He can do it for me, He can do it for anybody. He longs for every one of us to turn to Him, especially in our suffering.

Maybe others will be led to Him through my words, maybe not. Regardless, I embrace the mercy and grace of Christ existing more fully in my life. I find it sad that the individuals who choose assisted suicide do not seem to know our Lord well enough to allow for that opportunity in their own lives. But, that is their choice. I pray to always choose life.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen