In the wake of the suicide of Brittany Maynard, the media was all aglow with accolades for her “courageous” decision to “die on her own terms.” She has now become the poster child for something called “death with dignity.” There is no such thing as “death with dignity” unless the one dying unites their pain with that of Jesus who died for their salvation. Then, and only then does death have a “dignity.” Indeed some, who have avoided Christ and the cross all their lives, find that at this eleventh hour they have a last opportunity to imitate Jesus and unite with His passion and death. Without that, there is no “death with dignity.” Death is terrible without the cross. Without the cross death is outrageous. Sadly, with Brittany Maynard, and all who opt to kill themselves, we don’t see the courage and bravery of a soul that has faith. Rather, her despairing last message was for those she was leaving behind to “spread good energy.” How tragic! On the other hand, we have the examples of the holy who die in grace. They, too, feared death. Hear Saint Thérèse, the Little Flower:
“What would become of me if God did not give me courage,” Sister Thérèse asked as tuberculosis violently attacked her body, causing her great pain with each and every breath. “If I had no faith, I would have inflicted death on myself without hesitating a moment!”
In her last moments, Sister Thérèse gazed intently on a crucifix and said, “My God, I love you.” She died as she had lived, loving God, and believing in him, with a faith that grew stronger with each moment of pain and suffering, knowing that death was not to have the last word. Read full article from the Denver Catholic Register here.
