Sad, Sad Times
Attempting to write something for the past few days has been impossible with all the saddest of events taking place worldwide. To have written anything would have seemed so trivial and unseemly.
Firstly the sad death of Terri Schiavo which has raised such strong feelings and powerful moral issues, which in turn, have resulted in tearing apart and dividing, families, friends, legal and medical counsel, government, a country and even the world. The moral issues are ones that we have to question deep within ourselves, we have to find the answer to what we would want to do in the same circumstance. If we were the parents, the husband or the person themselves. There are no easy answers and you can find yourself swaying on the side of each party if you were in their shoes, severally and jointly. A really difficult decision on the part of every player participating in this particular drama. Thankfully, I do not have to make any such decisions…yet! I also hope never to be in a position where I would be forced to make such a decision. Terri I hope you are safe and free from suffering. May God bless you.
Secondly the illness of Prince Rainier, the ruler of the smallest principality in the world and Europes longest reigning monarch. Once married to Grace Kelly the movie star legend and mother of his children. How sad to have to say goodbye to someone who has turned this tiny little place into the most renowned playground of the rich and famous. He has worked tirelessly to attract big business thus ensuring the legacy for the Monaco monarchy to come. I pray for you and your family and hope that all will be well for you and your loved ones.
Lastly, the end of a dynasty, Pope John Paul ll a legend of a man who made a difference to millions of people in all walks of life. A man of such stature that it will be hard for anyone to live up to such high standards. He was a man of the people, for the people, spoke so many languages, did not set himself above the normal man in the street and transformed the Roman Catholic Church. He propagated peace and understanding in the world as well as social justice. He is well loved and revered both within the Catholic religion and dispersed among the many other religions. He has shown his human side by allowing the public to see he him in his weakness and illness over the past few years, clearly illustrating the human frailty. Most of all I guess we will remember him for his sense of holiness and his love of all people.
May the Lord Bless You
May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)