Newspaper Page Text
Thursday, April 27, 2000
The Southern Cross, Page 5
M
Everyday Graces
A witness to suffering
L ast year, I read Tuesdays with Morrie This man, in an effort to avoid increased of the horror of his final months on earth
by Mitch Albom. This book ,, suffering, allowed Kevorkian to inject because he had lived righteously, compassionate-
recounts the true story of the friend- c \J|| him with enough drugs to stop his ly, and enthusiastically in his healthy, younger
ship among the author and his for- || heart. Through his reckless advocacy years.
mer professor, Morrie Schwartz, | *** Wk of mercy killing, Jack Kevorkian has If we live as if we are never going to die; as if
who died from amyotrophic lateral 1 > % | ’ contributed to our society’s frighten- suffering is unnecessary; as if grief and loss are
sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou im, ing culture of death. hurts we can avoid; as if nothing matters more
Gehrig’s disease. The author, young, gk But Kevorkian’s actions have had than personal satisfaction and an accumulation of
ambitious, and successful, rekindles ; gjfcif the implicit support of many people. material wealth, then when we are called to take
his years-old college friendship with > r While most find fault with his flamboy- up the cross, we will be ill-prepared for that bur-
Schwartz, when he learns through a H ooc j |_| ar j. ant tactics, many Americans find den. But if we understand that death is
news report that Schwartz is dying. ' Kevorkian’s reasoning acceptable. inevitable, that suffering can bring us closer to
They establish a pattern of weekly visits, on Why suffer when we know the outcome will be God and one another, that grief and loss are the
Tuesdays, during which time Schwartz teaches death? Why not spare ourselves and our loved consequences of sacrificial love, then we are
Albom lessons on life and death. ones the agony of terminal illness? more open to the possibilities of redemptive
A friend saw the book on my coffee table and Of course, as Catholics, we have answers to grace,
asked me if I had found reading it depressing, those questions. And while helplessly witnessing Easter loses its meaning, its joy, if we overlook
given the nature of Schwartz’s disease and its the suffering of a loved one is among the great- the agony of Good Friday, the horror of Christ’s
devastating effects on the sufferer. While the est of agonies, we understand that when we do death on the Cross. If, 2,000 years ago, we were
author describes the suffering Morrie Schwartz so, we are not alone. We share that agony with there to witness Christ’s crucifixion, if we expe-
endures in painstaking and graphic detail, never Mary, the mother of God, who witnessed her rienced the horror and grief of watching him, our
once did I find Morrie Schwartz’s death depress- son’s horrific death. We share that agony with beloved Lord, suffer on the cross, surely we
ing. Indeed, his suffering and death were inspira- faithful women and men throughout the ages would be radically changed, forever, by the
tional, in that he accepted his suffering with dig- who have helplessly stood by as their beloved astonishing and joyful news of his Resurrection,
nity and grace, and he endured his increasing spouses, children, and friends endured unspeak- Such a life-changing experience is possible for
dependence on others with an uncommon humil- able pain. And, as Catholics, we believe, even us even now. Through his sacrifice, we have
ity and good humor. Knowing he is teaching his when we don’t understand, that such suffering been privileged to transcend time and space and
last “class,” Schwartz allows Mitch Albom to can be redemptive. actually share in Christ’s life and death and
record his unique yet universal experiences. As for Morrie Schwartz, his suffering became Resurrection. His divine presence is available to
Though Schwartz is facing death, his lessons to redemptive in many ways—most obviously by us today just as it was available to those physi-
Albom focus less on how to die than on how to providing his former student, Mitch Albom, with cally with him 2,000 years ago. This Easter and,
live a purposeful life, a life of vitality, grace, and life-changing insights and inspiring material for always, may we seek the courage, humility, and
compassion. others to discover through Albom’s book. It grace to recognize him.
We live in a time in which suffering like that seems that Schwartz’s enlightened response to
Schwartz endured is considered a greater enemy suffering was the byproduct of a life well lived. Mary Hood Hart lives with her husband and
than death. A year ago, when I was in the midst Schwartz, who died in his 70s, was a gifted, four children in Sunset Beach, N.C.
of reading Albom’s book, Dr. Jack Kevorkian compassionate and enthusiastic teacher, as well ^
was on trial for the murder of a man afflicted as a devoted husband and father. Perhaps
with the same disease Morrie Schwartz endured. Schwartz was able to spiritually transcend much
Why are so many people cursing God's name?
By Ticki Lloyd It is not only adults who curse God. We hear ration, used only to bless, praise and glorify.
E very day we hear someone cursing God for teenagers cursing their parents by taking God’s Respect for God’s name is an expression of
almost any reason. They seem to think God name in vain. God seems to be always getting in respect owed to the mystery of God.
is responsible for their problems. their way. They have to stop him, and the only The second commandment vehemently forbids
How often have you heard someone with a way they know how is to profane his name. the abuse of God’s name. Every improper use of
hammer in his hand take God’s name in vain The airwaves have their share of cursing and God’s name, and of the names of Jesus Christ
when he misses the head on a nail and smashes taking God’s name in vain. Turn on radio or tele- and the Virgin Mary and all the saints is forbid-
his finger? And, how many times have you heard vision, and before the program is over, someone den, and they must never be abused,
the driver of a car curse God when the light was has defamed God’s name. It seems to be the Blasphemy opposes the name of God. Saint
red and he wanted it to be green? And what smart thing to do, and nobody stops it. James condemns those who blaspheme the holy
about that huge flounder that plopped back into We find God’s name abused and bounced name of Jesus. We can blaspheme the name of
the river just when the fisherman thought he had around shamefully in Christian gatherings. To God by failing to respect him by words of hatred
it hooked? some, it’s just an everyday thing to do. Cursing and, by speaking ill of him. Blasphemy is con-
The list goes on and on. It seems that God is is a big part of their vocabulary. Abuse of God’s trary to the respect due to God’s holy name. It is
accused of manipulating people into cursing him. name doesn’t stop with adults and teens. God a grave sin.
And, this is the same God who loves them, and forbid, we hear little ones calling God’s name in According to the Catechism of the Catholic
died on the cross for their sins! vain when they don’t get their way. Sometimes, Church, the Our Father is the summary of the
According to experts, our country is not suffer- we have to wonder where the children learn to whole Gospel. This most perfect prayer was
ing hardship. The economy is better than ever, curse. Could it be in the home where some par- given to us by God himself. It is called the
jobs are plentiful, salaries are higher, crime is ents don’t think it’s a sin to abuse God’s name? Lord’s Prayer because it comes to us from the
supposedly down. Science is discovering cures The second commandment is “Thou shalt not Lord Jesus. “Hallowed by thy name,” four words
for deadly diseases. And, I doubt that any of us take the name of the Lord, our God in vain.” prayed in the Our Father, remind us, as does the
go to bed hungry. If all of the above is accurate, This commandment prescribes a respect for the second commandment, not to abuse God’s name,
then why are people cursing God’s name? They Lord’s name. It governs our speech in sacred Years ago, the male members of my family
should he praising him. Our country is not suf- matters. We learned from our Catechism at an belonged to an organization called, “The Holy
fering from financial starvation, it is suffering early age that God’s name is holy. It must not be Name Society.” I wonder if anyone could tell me
from starvation of love and compassion. abused. God’s name must be kept in loving ado- (Continued on page 11)