...so I will trust

Excerpted with permission from the newsletter of the Archdiocese of Washington Department of Life Issues authored by Michelle Sesny.
(You can request your own copy here.)  

Two years ago I received a call from a friend's husband.  They had recently learned that she had about a month to live and he asked if I would fly to Arizona to see her.  I said yes instantly, I felt blessed to have this opportunity to visit with her and say good bye.  After the flights were booked and travel was arranged, my feelings immediately turned to intense fear - what do you say to a friend in her early thirties with two small children who is facing death?

Angela was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer on Easter Sunday - her first words were "Jesus still rose, so I will trust." While we all know that our faith is rooted in Christ’s victory over death and we hope that we will one day share in His Resurrection, most of us still have a hard time thinking about or discussing death.   And yet, it is something that will touch each of us - our own as well as the death of loved ones.  In the midst of dealing with an illness or sudden trauma, it can be difficult to navigate through all of the treatment options and decisions that must be made.  That is why it is so important to have discussions with your family and friends now about what you want.  While the way we live our lives has vital significance, so does the way in which we die. How does my faith impact the decisions that must be made as the end of this life approaches?  How can Church teachings help me as I navigate this difficult time? 

In my time with the Life Issues Office, I've given many presentations on end of life decision making in light of Catholic teaching.  I've explained the Church's position that God is the author of life and none of us have absolute power over life and death.  I've spoken about dignity that cannot be taken away, no matter what the circumstances - illness, disability, imminent death.  But it was my time in Arizona, sitting by my friend's hospital bed, praying with her, reliving old memories and catching up on the years when we had not seen each other that I really saw the truth of all that the Church teaches.  While her body and mind were failing, her dignity still radiated - the light of Christ was so present in her as she endured suffering and laughed and cried with all who gathered to see her.  It was painful to say good-bye and to watch her fade away but I'm forever grateful for the way that she touched my life and so many others and for the opportunity to accompany her as she neared death.  

Losing someone is never easy but remembering that this world is not our final destination and that we are made for heaven can ease the pain: 

“But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess 4:13-14).

If you are interested in learning more about Catholic teaching on sickness and dying, consider joining us

Making Complex Decisions about Medical Treatment and

End of Life Care in Light of Catholic Teaching

Saturday May 10th ~ 10:00 am - Noon

St. Raphael Catholic Church

Trumpet Room

Panel Discussion

Fr. J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M.Cap., S.T.D., Joan Panke, MA, RN, ACHPN and Burke Balch, JD. will discuss the moral, medical and legal dimensions of medical decision making and advance directives for yourself or your loved one, in light of Church teaching and the dignity of the human person.  

Our speakers are absolute experts in the topic and will be a wonderful resource for us.  We are so blessed to have them spend the time to visit with us on these critical issues that hit so very close to home in all of our families.

For more information, email msesny@adw.org.

Hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington Department of Life Issues and St. Raphael Respect Life Committee.

Register here.