Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
To be a vibrant Catholic Community
unified in its commitment
to growing disciples for Christ
Parish Priest: Fr Mike Delaney
Mob: 0417 279 437
Mob: 0417 279 437
Assistant Priest: Fr Paschal Okpon
Mob: 0438 562 731
paschalokpon@yahoo.com
Priest in Residence: Fr Phil McCormack
Mob: 0437 521 257
Mob: 0437 521 257
Postal Address: PO Box 362
Parish Office: 90 Stewart Street
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 3pm)
Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
Email: merseyleven@aohtas.org.au
Secretary: Annie Davies / Anne Fisher
Pastoral Council Chair: Jenny Garnsey
Parish Mass times for the Month: mlcpmasstimes.blogspot.com.au
Archdiocesan Website: www.hobart.catholic.org.au for news, information and details of other Parishes.
Parish Prayer
Heavenly Father,
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
to the Gospel and build an amazing parish.
Amen.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Weekday
Masses 22nd - 25th May
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
Thursday: 12noon Devonport
Friday: 9:30am Ulverstone
Ministry Rosters 26th & 27th May, 2018
Devonport: 
Ulverstone:
Reader/s: M McLaren
Ministers of Communion: M Byrne, D Griffin, K Foster, R
Locket
Penguin:
Latrobe:
Port Sorell:
Readings this week – Pentecost Sunday (Year B)
PREGO REFLECTION:
I take time to become
aware of the three persons of the blessed Trinity making their home in me.
I
remain with this as long as I am able. I read the text slowly, a couple of
times.
The Father sends the Advocate.
In what way do I see the Spirit as one
who speaks or pleads for me, one who advises, motivates and guides me ...?
I ponder
the presence of the Spirit in my life.
He is also the Spirit of Truth, who
comes from the Father and speaks Jesus’s message.
We are to be Jesus's
witnesses.
What happens when I invoke the Spirit, rely on him in this mission?
Can I spend time with the Spirit so that he can lead me to a deeper
understanding of Jesus's teaching … lead me to the truth, reveal what my role
of witness means?
I try to remain still and listen to what the Spirit is saying
to me, or how he is prompting me to witness this week.
I end quietly, perhaps
saying, ‘Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart, kindle in me the fire of your love.’
Readings next week – The Most Holy
Trinity (Year B)
Your prayers
are asked for the sick: Mary Webb & ….
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Let us pray for those whose anniversary occurs
about this time:
16th – 22nd May
May they
Rest in Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
This weekend we are commissioning our new Parish Pastoral
Team. The new members of the PPT are Mandy Eden, Jenny Garnsey (chair of the
previous PPC), Glenys Lee-Archer, Michael Hendrey, Christine Miller, Carol
Seagar and Felicity Sly. We are still seeking to find representatives from
Ulverstone and Sheffield so that all centres are represented and, hopefully, we
will be able to announce those members in the next week or so.
Over recent months I have invited people through my Weekly
Ramblings to put forward names of parishioners whom they considered might be
willing to be part of our Vision as we move forward. Some of those nominated
said that they would prefer to continue in other ministries but I am thankful
to this new Team who will be working with Fr Paschal and me into the future.
This weekend we also welcome our candidates as they
continue their journey towards the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation as
we present them with the Creed – our statement of Faith. As well as praying for
these young people the Youth group will be participating in the Spirit Sessions
of the Youth Alpha Program on the Friday 8th & Saturday 9th. I invite you,
as we gather this weekend for the Feast of Pentecost, to begin a special time
of prayer for these young people on their journey – that God will continue to
bless them and guide them.
Please
take care on the roads and we look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Winter has arrived and as a Parish community we would like
to help those around us who are not as fortunate as ourselves. Winter is a hard
time for many people who do not have enough to keep themselves and their
families warm. We are asking for your help with donations of any clean
blankets, sleeping bags, and bed clothes that you no longer use. We would also
like to collect any old coats, jackets and warm clothing that could be put to
good use, by those who need it. As always non-perishable goods are always
needed and would also be gratefully appreciated.
Donations can be dropped off at St Vincent de Paul Society,
18 Murray Street, East Devonport or you can phone the office on 6427:7100 to
arrange for collection of your items.
Envelopes for the Vinnies Winter Appeal are
available for your donation (cash donations preferred).
SACRAMENTAL
PROGRAM:
This weekend our sacramental candidates will be presented
with a copy of the Creed – the statement of faith that we share and proclaim
and we invite them to join in. We continue to encourage and pray for
these children on their constant journey of faith and look forward to
celebrating with them when they receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and
Eucharist in August.
MACKILLOP HILL SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
MARGARET SILF
MACKILLOP
HILL LIBRARY:
Please note that the library will be closed on Wednesday 23rd,
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th May. We apologise for any
inconvenience.
SPIRITUALITY IN THE COFFEE SHOP:
Monday, 28th May 10:30am
-12 noon
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS:
Next meeting will be held on Sunday 27th May at 4pm,
Community Room Sacred Heart Church Ulverstone. All men welcome to attend.
BINGO - Thursday Nights - OLOL
Hall, Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers for Thursday 24th
May – Merv Tippett & Tony Ryan
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE ARCHDIOCESE:
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF CARMEL IN TASMANIA – To mark the arrival of the first
Carmelites in Tasmania from Adelaide in 1948, all are warmly invited to join
the Carmelite Community for a Sung Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by
Archbishop Porteous on Saturday 9th June 2018 at 9am at the
Carmelite Monastery, 7 Cambridge Street, Launceston. Mass will be
followed by morning tea.
THE JOURNEY CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM – AIRS 27th May
This week on the Journey, Fr Graham Schmitzer reflects on
the Gospel of Matthew, Bruce Downes, The Catholic Guy encourages us to Get
Spiritually Fit, and Marilyn Rodrigues, The Peaceful Parent, reminds us of the
importance of One-on-One Time. Our music is selected from various
talented music artists who help us to create a show about faith, hope, love and
life. Go to www.jcr.org.au
or www.itunes.jcr.org.au
where you can listen anytime and subscribe to weekly shows by email.
The Further Journey
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality
for the Two Halves of Life (Jossey-Bass: 2011), vii, ix-x, xi.
ON SUICIDE AND DESPAIR
This article is copied from the website of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can find the original page here
For centuries, suicide was considered as an act of despair and despair itself was seen as the most grievous sin of all. In many religious circles, despair was seen as the most sinful of all acts and ultimately unforgivable.
Sadly, a strong residue of that remains, suicide is still seen by many as an act of despair, an affront to God and to life itself, an unforgivable relinquishing of hope. Many church people still see suicide as an act of despair and as the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Roman Catholic sometimes reinforce this notion by their reading of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which defines the sin of despair as follows:
“DESPAIR is the most serious sin a person can commit! … Like presumption, despair is a sin against the First Commandment. It steers us away from hope, which is an infused virtue received at Baptism together with sanctifying grace and having the possession of God as its primary object. In Mark, 3:28-29, we read that: “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
That may well be true, except suicide is not despair. Dictionaries define despair as the complete lack or absence of hope. But that’s not what happens in most suicides. What does happen?
The person who is taking his or her own life is not intending that act as an insult or affront to God or to life (for that would be an act of strength and suicide is generally the antithesis of that). What happens in most suicides is the polar opposite. The suicide is the result of a mammoth defeat.
There’s a powerful scene in the musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s, Les Miserables. A young woman, Fantine, lies dying. She tells of once being youthful and full of hopeful dreams; but now worn-down by a lifetime of poverty, crushed by a broken heart, and overcome by physical illness, she is defeated and has to submit to the tearful fact that “there are storms we cannot weather”.
She’s right, and anyone who does not accept that truth will one day come to a painful and bitter understanding of it. There are things in this life that will crush us, and surrender isn’t an act of despair and indeed isn’t a free act at all. It’s a humbling, sad defeat.
And that’s the case with most people who die from suicide. For reasons ranging from mental illness to an infinite variety of overpowering storms that can break a person, there’s sometimes a point in people’s lives where they are overpowered, defeated, and unable to continue to will their own living – parallel to one who dies as a victim of a drought, hurricane, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s. There’s no sin in being overpowered by a deadly storm. We can be overpowered, and some people are, but that’s not despair (which can only be willful and an act of strength).
To begin with, we don’t understand mental illness, which can be just as a real and just as death-producing as any physical illness. We don’t blame someone for dying from cancer, a stroke, or a physical accident, but we invariably cast moral shadows on someone who dies as a result of various mental illnesses which play a deadly role in many suicides. Happily, God is still in charge and our flawed understanding, while generally permanently tainting the way someone is remembered in this world, doesn’t in effect salvation on the other side.
Beyond mental illness we can be defeated in life by many other things. Tragedy, heartbreaking loss, unrequited obsession, and crippling shame can at times break a heart, crush a will, kill a spirit, and bring death to a body. And our judgment on this should reflect our understanding of God: What all-loving, merciful God would condemn someone because he or she, like Victor Hugo’s, Fantine, could not weather the storm? Does God side with our own narrow notions where salvation is mostly reserved for the strong? Not if Jesus is to be believed.
Notice when Jesus points out sin he doesn’t point to where we are weak and defeated; rather he points to where we are strong, arrogant, indifferent, and judgmental. Search the Gospels and ask this question: On whom is Jesus hardest? The answer is clear: Jesus is hardest on those who are strong, judgmental, and have no feeling for those who are enduring the storm. Notice what he says about the rich man who ignores the poor man at his doorstep, what he says about the priest and scribe who ignore the man beaten in a ditch, and how critical he is of the scribes and Pharisees who are quick to define who falls under God’s judgment and who doesn’t.
Only a faulty understanding of God can underwrite the unfortunate notion that being crushed in life constitutes despair.
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
Amen.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Baptism: Arrangements are made by contacting Parish Office. Parents attend a Baptismal Preparation Session organised with a Priest.
Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist: Are received following a Family–centred, Parish-based, School-supported Preparation Program.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: prepares adults for reception into the Catholic community.
Marriage: arrangements are made by contacting one of our priests - couples attend a Pre-marriage Program
Anointing of the Sick: please contact one of our priests
Reconciliation: Ulverstone - Fridays (10am - 10:30am), Devonport - Saturday (5:15pm– 5.45pm)
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Benediction with Adoration Devonport: First Friday each month.
Prayer Group: Charismatic Renewal – Mondays 7pm Community Room Ulverstone
Weekday
Masses 22nd - 25th May
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
Thursday: 12noon Devonport
Friday: 9:30am Ulverstone
Weekend Masses 26th & 27th May, 2018
Saturday Vigil: 6:00pm Penguin 6:00pm Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am Port Sorell
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am Devonport
11:00am Sheffield
5:00pm Latrobe
Ministry Rosters 26th & 27th May, 2018
Devonport:
Readers Vigil: V Riley, A Stegmann, B Suckling 10:30am: E Petts, K Douglas, K Pearce
Ministers of Communion: Vigil:
M Heazlewood, G Lee-Archer, M Kelly, P Shelverton
10:30: M Sherriff, T & S Ryan, D &
M Barrientos
Cleaners. 25th May: M & L Tippett, A Berryman 1st June: M.W.C.
Piety Shop 26th May:
L Murfet 27th May: O McGinley
Reader/s: M McLaren
Ministers of Communion: M Byrne, D Griffin, K Foster, R
Locket
Cleaners: B & V McCall, G Doyle Flowers: C Mapley
Hospitality: Filipino Community
Penguin:
Greeters: J Garnsey, S Ewing Commentator: John Barker Readers: A Landers, E Nickols
Ministers of
Communion: J
Garnsey, S Ewing Liturgy: Pine Rd Setting Up: A Landers Care of Church: Y & R Downes
Latrobe:
Reader: M Chan Minister of Communion: M Mackey Procession of Gifts: M Clarke
Port Sorell:
Readers: V Duff, T Jeffries Minister of Communion: P Anderson Clean/Flowers/Prepare: A Holloway, B Lee
Readings this week – Pentecost Sunday (Year B)
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Second Reading: Galatians 5:16-25
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:12-15
PREGO REFLECTION:
I come to my place of prayer and perhaps light a candle –
symbol today of the light, love and power of the Spirit.
I take time to become aware of the three persons of the blessed Trinity making their home in me.
I remain with this as long as I am able. I read the text slowly, a couple of times.
The Father sends the Advocate.
In what way do I see the Spirit as one who speaks or pleads for me, one who advises, motivates and guides me ...?
I ponder the presence of the Spirit in my life.
He is also the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father and speaks Jesus’s message.
We are to be Jesus's witnesses.
What happens when I invoke the Spirit, rely on him in this mission?
Can I spend time with the Spirit so that he can lead me to a deeper understanding of Jesus's teaching … lead me to the truth, reveal what my role of witness means?
I try to remain still and listen to what the Spirit is saying to me, or how he is prompting me to witness this week.
I end quietly, perhaps saying, ‘Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart, kindle in me the fire of your love.’
I take time to become aware of the three persons of the blessed Trinity making their home in me.
I remain with this as long as I am able. I read the text slowly, a couple of times.
The Father sends the Advocate.
In what way do I see the Spirit as one who speaks or pleads for me, one who advises, motivates and guides me ...?
I ponder the presence of the Spirit in my life.
He is also the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father and speaks Jesus’s message.
We are to be Jesus's witnesses.
What happens when I invoke the Spirit, rely on him in this mission?
Can I spend time with the Spirit so that he can lead me to a deeper understanding of Jesus's teaching … lead me to the truth, reveal what my role of witness means?
I try to remain still and listen to what the Spirit is saying to me, or how he is prompting me to witness this week.
I end quietly, perhaps saying, ‘Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart, kindle in me the fire of your love.’
Readings next week – The Most Holy
Trinity (Year B)
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel: Matthew
28:16-20
Your prayers
are asked for the sick: Mary Webb & ….
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Conrado
Nares, Fr John Williams, Epie Howlett, James Leith, Sr Janet Sexton, Moya
Hickey, Maureen
Roach, Edwin Fisher
Let us pray for those whose anniversary occurs
about this time:
16th – 22nd May
Sylvia
Street, Julia Windridge, Mary Stevenson, Kathleen Laycock, Kit Hayes, Martin
Healy, Lane Cole, Richard Delaney, Patricia
Down, Paul Sulzberger, Betty Broadbent, Phyllis Fraser, Kathleen Hall, Alfred
Nichols, Mariea McCormick, Margaret Bresnehan, Bernard C Marshall, Peter
Hutchinson, Margaret Murphy and Harry Maker.
May they
Rest in Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church as the Holy
Spirit comes on the Apostles and all those gathered in Jerusalem and prepares
them for their mission to go out to all the world and tell the Good News. And
as (most of us do on our birthday) we gather to celebrate we give thanks for
the many blessings that God has poured out on us as a Parish in the past and
pray for his continued blessings into the future.
This weekend we are commissioning our new Parish Pastoral
Team. The new members of the PPT are Mandy Eden, Jenny Garnsey (chair of the
previous PPC), Glenys Lee-Archer, Michael Hendrey, Christine Miller, Carol
Seagar and Felicity Sly. We are still seeking to find representatives from
Ulverstone and Sheffield so that all centres are represented and, hopefully, we
will be able to announce those members in the next week or so.
Over recent months I have invited people through my Weekly
Ramblings to put forward names of parishioners whom they considered might be
willing to be part of our Vision as we move forward. Some of those nominated
said that they would prefer to continue in other ministries but I am thankful
to this new Team who will be working with Fr Paschal and me into the future.
This weekend we also welcome our candidates as they
continue their journey towards the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation as
we present them with the Creed – our statement of Faith. As well as praying for
these young people the Youth group will be participating in the Spirit Sessions
of the Youth Alpha Program on the Friday 8th & Saturday 9th. I invite you,
as we gather this weekend for the Feast of Pentecost, to begin a special time
of prayer for these young people on their journey – that God will continue to
bless them and guide them.
Please
take care on the roads and we look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Donations can be dropped off at St Vincent de Paul Society,
18 Murray Street, East Devonport or you can phone the office on 6427:7100 to
arrange for collection of your items.
Envelopes for the Vinnies Winter Appeal are
available for your donation (cash donations preferred).
We hope you are able to help!
SACRAMENTAL
PROGRAM:
This weekend our sacramental candidates will be presented
with a copy of the Creed – the statement of faith that we share and proclaim
and we invite them to join in. We continue to encourage and pray for
these children on their constant journey of faith and look forward to
celebrating with them when they receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and
Eucharist in August.
MACKILLOP HILL SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
MARGARET SILF
One of the most renowned and accessible spirituality writers of our time,
Margaret is a spiritual explorer who travels widely, engaging with other
pilgrims through her books and retreats for 21st century soul
adventurers. Sacred Heart Community Room, Ulverstone.
Ulverstone
Thursday 24th May, 7pm – 9pm - “The Stories that Shape Us”
– reflecting on the precious gift of imagination which enables us to shape stories
and narratives in our search for meaning and understanding in our lives. Some are life-giving, some control and seduce
us and others endure and grow as we grow.
Ulverstone
Friday 25th May 10.30am – 12.30pm - “Born to Fly” – how we, too, like the caterpillar’s
metamorphosis, are in the process of transformation – invited to be co-creators
of a different kind of future for humanity.
Book now! Phone 6428:3095
or email: rsjforth@bigpond.net.au. Cost $20.00 per session. Don’t
miss this opportunity!
MACKILLOP HILL LIBRARY:
Please note that the library will be closed on Wednesday 23rd,
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th May. We apologise for any
inconvenience.
SPIRITUALITY IN THE COFFEE SHOP:
Monday, 28th May 10:30am
-12 noon
Come and discuss the issues about
faith and life that matter to you!
Morning tea & good company! No booking necessary!
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS:
Next meeting will be held on Sunday 27th May at 4pm,
Community Room Sacred Heart Church Ulverstone. All men welcome to attend.
FOOTY
TICKETS:
Round 8 (Friday 11th May) Sydney Swans defeated Hawthorn
by 8
points. Congratulations to the following winners - Denise Payne, Tony Muir, ………..? (Remember to check your tickets!) There are still plenty of
tickets to be sold at Devonport and Ulverstone each week, so for a little bit
of fun why not help support our Parish fundraiser and buy a footy margin ticket
(or two) $2.00 each. There are three prizes of $100.00 each week. You’ve
got to be in it to win it!!
BINGO - Thursday Nights - OLOL
Hall, Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers for Thursday 24th
May – Merv Tippett & Tony Ryan
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE ARCHDIOCESE:
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF CARMEL IN TASMANIA – To mark the arrival of the first
Carmelites in Tasmania from Adelaide in 1948, all are warmly invited to join
the Carmelite Community for a Sung Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by
Archbishop Porteous on Saturday 9th June 2018 at 9am at the
Carmelite Monastery, 7 Cambridge Street, Launceston. Mass will be
followed by morning tea.
THE JOURNEY CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM – AIRS 27th May
This week on the Journey, Fr Graham Schmitzer reflects on
the Gospel of Matthew, Bruce Downes, The Catholic Guy encourages us to Get
Spiritually Fit, and Marilyn Rodrigues, The Peaceful Parent, reminds us of the
importance of One-on-One Time. Our music is selected from various
talented music artists who help us to create a show about faith, hope, love and
life. Go to www.jcr.org.au
or www.itunes.jcr.org.au
where you can listen anytime and subscribe to weekly shows by email.
The Further Journey
This reflection is taken from the daily emails from Fr Richard Rohr OFM. You can subscribe and receive the emails by clicking here
The journey into the second half of our own lives awaits us
all. Yet not everyone embarks or continues on the journey, even though most of
us get older. The “further journey” seems to be a well-kept secret. Many people
do not even know there is one. There are too few who are aware that there is
more to life.
After decades as a Franciscan teacher, working in many
settings, religions, countries, and organizations, I find that many, if not
most, people and institutions remain stymied in the preoccupations of the first
half of life. By that I mean that most people’s concerns remain those of
establishing their personal identity, creating various boundaries, and seeking
security and success. These tasks are good to some degree and even necessary.
We are all trying to find what the Greek scientist Archimedes called a “lever
and a place to stand” so that we can move the world just a little bit. The
world would be much worse off if we did not do the important work of
ego-development.
I believe that God gives us our soul—our deepest identity,
our True Self, our unique blueprint—at our own conception. Our unique little
bit of heaven is installed by the Manufacturer within the product, at the
beginning! We are given a span of years to discover it, to choose it, and to
live our own destiny to the full. If we do not, our True Self will never be
offered again, in our own unique form—which is perhaps why almost all religious
traditions present the subject with strong words like “heaven” and “hell.” The
discovery of our soul is crucial and of pressing importance for each of us and
for the world.
We do not “make” or “create” our souls; we just “grow” them
up. We are the clumsy stewards of our own souls. Much of our work is learning
how to stay out of the way of this rather natural growing and awakening. We
need to unlearn a lot, it seems, to get back to that foundational life. This is
why religious traditions call the process “conversion” or “repentance.”
Whether or not we find our True Self depends in large part
on the moments of time we are each allotted and the choices we make at those
moments. Life is indeed “momentous,” created by accumulated moments in which
the deeper “I” is slowly revealed if we are ready to see it. Following our
inner blueprint or soul and humbly serving others is indeed of ultimate
concern. Each thing and every person must act out its nature fully, at whatever
cost. This is our life’s purpose, the deepest meaning of “natural law.” We are
here to give back freely what was first given to us! It takes both halves of
our life to fulfill this calling.
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality
for the Two Halves of Life (Jossey-Bass: 2011), vii, ix-x, xi.
ON SUICIDE AND DESPAIR
This article is copied from the website of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can find the original page here
For centuries, suicide was considered as an act of despair and despair itself was seen as the most grievous sin of all. In many religious circles, despair was seen as the most sinful of all acts and ultimately unforgivable.
Sadly, a strong residue of that remains, suicide is still seen by many as an act of despair, an affront to God and to life itself, an unforgivable relinquishing of hope. Many church people still see suicide as an act of despair and as the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Roman Catholic sometimes reinforce this notion by their reading of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which defines the sin of despair as follows:
“DESPAIR is the most serious sin a person can commit! … Like presumption, despair is a sin against the First Commandment. It steers us away from hope, which is an infused virtue received at Baptism together with sanctifying grace and having the possession of God as its primary object. In Mark, 3:28-29, we read that: “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
That may well be true, except suicide is not despair. Dictionaries define despair as the complete lack or absence of hope. But that’s not what happens in most suicides. What does happen?
The person who is taking his or her own life is not intending that act as an insult or affront to God or to life (for that would be an act of strength and suicide is generally the antithesis of that). What happens in most suicides is the polar opposite. The suicide is the result of a mammoth defeat.
There’s a powerful scene in the musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s, Les Miserables. A young woman, Fantine, lies dying. She tells of once being youthful and full of hopeful dreams; but now worn-down by a lifetime of poverty, crushed by a broken heart, and overcome by physical illness, she is defeated and has to submit to the tearful fact that “there are storms we cannot weather”.
She’s right, and anyone who does not accept that truth will one day come to a painful and bitter understanding of it. There are things in this life that will crush us, and surrender isn’t an act of despair and indeed isn’t a free act at all. It’s a humbling, sad defeat.
And that’s the case with most people who die from suicide. For reasons ranging from mental illness to an infinite variety of overpowering storms that can break a person, there’s sometimes a point in people’s lives where they are overpowered, defeated, and unable to continue to will their own living – parallel to one who dies as a victim of a drought, hurricane, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s. There’s no sin in being overpowered by a deadly storm. We can be overpowered, and some people are, but that’s not despair (which can only be willful and an act of strength).
To begin with, we don’t understand mental illness, which can be just as a real and just as death-producing as any physical illness. We don’t blame someone for dying from cancer, a stroke, or a physical accident, but we invariably cast moral shadows on someone who dies as a result of various mental illnesses which play a deadly role in many suicides. Happily, God is still in charge and our flawed understanding, while generally permanently tainting the way someone is remembered in this world, doesn’t in effect salvation on the other side.
Beyond mental illness we can be defeated in life by many other things. Tragedy, heartbreaking loss, unrequited obsession, and crippling shame can at times break a heart, crush a will, kill a spirit, and bring death to a body. And our judgment on this should reflect our understanding of God: What all-loving, merciful God would condemn someone because he or she, like Victor Hugo’s, Fantine, could not weather the storm? Does God side with our own narrow notions where salvation is mostly reserved for the strong? Not if Jesus is to be believed.
Notice when Jesus points out sin he doesn’t point to where we are weak and defeated; rather he points to where we are strong, arrogant, indifferent, and judgmental. Search the Gospels and ask this question: On whom is Jesus hardest? The answer is clear: Jesus is hardest on those who are strong, judgmental, and have no feeling for those who are enduring the storm. Notice what he says about the rich man who ignores the poor man at his doorstep, what he says about the priest and scribe who ignore the man beaten in a ditch, and how critical he is of the scribes and Pharisees who are quick to define who falls under God’s judgment and who doesn’t.
Only a faulty understanding of God can underwrite the unfortunate notion that being crushed in life constitutes despair.
Our freedom and God’s praise and glory
Is there such a thing as too much freedom and if so, how much damage can it do? Roger Dawson SJ considers how the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola might be a framework through which we can counteract the problem of ‘cognitive overload’ that can be characteristic of modern life. Dr Roger Dawson SJ is Director of St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre.
The purpose of Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises is that ‘one should desire and seek nothing except the greater praise and glory of God’ (Spiritual Exercises, §189). The Exercises are also described as a ‘school of freedom’ from disordered attachments so that we might choose well (§179). It seems to me that when we talk about the Exercises we often emphasise the freedom of the latter description over the praise and glory of God of the former. I think, then, that it is worth considering what Ignatius means by freedom, and why today’s culture might benefit from a rediscovery of it.
You can find the complete article on the ThinkingFaith.org website by clicking here
Is there such a thing as too much freedom and if so, how much damage can it do? Roger Dawson SJ considers how the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola might be a framework through which we can counteract the problem of ‘cognitive overload’ that can be characteristic of modern life. Dr Roger Dawson SJ is Director of St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre.
The purpose of Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises is that ‘one should desire and seek nothing except the greater praise and glory of God’ (Spiritual Exercises, §189). The Exercises are also described as a ‘school of freedom’ from disordered attachments so that we might choose well (§179). It seems to me that when we talk about the Exercises we often emphasise the freedom of the latter description over the praise and glory of God of the former. I think, then, that it is worth considering what Ignatius means by freedom, and why today’s culture might benefit from a rediscovery of it.
You can find the complete article on the ThinkingFaith.org website by clicking here
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