At the time it seemed so urgent. For those like me who still follow the news, going by the number of stories in the newspapers, online and on the talk shows, it seemed to be the most crucial matter in the world. Though several other stories – including the runaway bride – quickly took its place and eclipsed it, the story of Terri Schiavo seemed to be the concern above all other concerns. You remember. It was a tragic, modern morality play – with self-seeking politicians, news-hungry reporters (I’d call them journalists, but I reserve that nomenclature for reporters who seek to inform and educate the public), and ideologues on all sides rushing to spin their messages and reap the benefits in money and influence. As an aside I must say I am dismayed by the recent devolution of the news media - in extraordinary bias, provocation and sensationalism. I chalk it up to a convergence of increased ideological maneuvering, the sheer number of channels and websites, and hunger for profits through advertising interests. The media have learned from us that we watch sensational human-interest stories, and they pander to our tastes for their own ideological purposes, just to gain an audience that sponsors will pay for. In between the haranguing of media types and the years-long battle between a husband on the one side and a family of origin on the other side, lay the frail body of a woman on the precipice of death.

  But surely that was the issue. Was she on the precipice of death? Is it ever right to throw in the towel when someone would die without the aid of "heroic measures"? In a time of such sophisticated medical technology, what constitutes heroic measures? And, if it is ever right to throw in the towel, when and under what circumstances should it take place?

  During almost 30 years of ordained ministry, I’ve had the humbling privilege of walking with scores of individuals and their families – ones who’ve had to face the apparent inevitability of death. Many have fought valiantly and far longer than I imagine I’d have the strength to fight. Others, also showing courage and good faith, have moved on rather quickly to their demise. I’ve noticed that sooner or later each and every one – the dying person as well as his or her loved ones - comes to a point of what I’ll call resolution. They decide that enough’s enough, and that it’s time to throw in the towel - to move across the threshold of this life to be with God. That’s a sacred and wondrous process – very often filled with tears, pain, relief, faith, love and grace. For various unknown or unmentionable reasons, Terri Schiavo was somewhat deprived of that, and her family certainly was.

  Death is an inevitable part of every single life. It is a God-given part of life – as natural as birth, love, eating, breathing, sleeping, and all the rest. Especially for people of Christian faith, it’s something not to be feared but to be embraced when the time is right - no matter how wonderful life is and how much a person might have left undone.

  But when is the time right? This matter – this matter of life and death, when a person is dying of natural causes – is not something for a family to fight over, or into which the state, moralists and ideologues of whatever stripe, or newshounds and politicians should intrude themselves. They only diminish what God intends for it to be – a sacred time of grace. It is up to the individual, in consultation with loved ones as well as with medical and legal advisors.

  And that’s why, if we haven’t done anything about it while it was in the public spotlight, all of us do well to learn the lesson of that tragic story. We do well to live as best we can in harmony with our various friends and loved-ones. We do well to let them, our physicians and legal counselors know exactly what we think about dying and what efforts we want made to keep us alive or not. We do well to set it down in writing, legally, in a living will, so as to avoid what happened to Terri Schiavo. Summertime is perfect to attend to these matters - when many of us have extra time with our loved ones and on our hands to take care of just such matters of life and death as these. Contact your lawyer or the parish office for information about a living will.

Faithfully in Christ,
Phil +