THAT YE MAY ABOUND IN HOPE

 A REFLECTION FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Before we’re drawn too far into the festive spirit, let’s take a moment on this second Sunday in Advent to spare a thought for those who have very little reason to feel festive.  For many people, the Christmas season does not bring happy thoughts of sleigh bells, roasting chestnuts, and crackling log fires.  Not even the stable of Bethlehem and the Child in the manger are able to lift their spirits.  For these poor souls, Christmas represents sad memories of days gone by, loved ones long departed, perhaps even bitter thoughts of wasted years, squandered opportunities and hopes now lost forever.  The holidays can be a very sad time for some.

 

This year, we’ve been told the suicide rate has risen dramatically because of Covid-19.  While the virus itself was bad enough, the side-effects were far worse.  We have been isolated from our loved ones, even the sick and elderly who need us most.  We have been prevented from traveling, socializing and dining out.  Sports games and other pastimes have been banned.  Even our churches have for the most part been closed, with services restricted.  It is impossible to go through such constraints on our lives without severe psychological consequences, particularly among those most vulnerable.

 

As Catholics, we have always been taught to consider suicide as a grave sin deserving of eternal hellfire.  The Church’s teaching on this is correct, but we must remember that it is based solely on a judgment of the action itself.  The Church may withdraw the privilege of Christian burial from those who take their own lives, but she has never categorically stated that any one of them has been condemned to hell.  To do so would be to judge the internal motivation of the soul, and this is something only God can do.  The Church wisely leaves these things up to him, while condemning only the act itself.

 

We have all been told that the person who commits suicide may have had the opportunity to repent his act, even in the split second between pulling the trigger and meeting his Maker.  This is no doubt true, but we must also remember the requirements for a sin to be mortal—we must be in our right mind and fully cognizant of what we’re doing.  Surely, many people who take their own lives are far from being in their right mind when they consider such an extreme measure.  For a Catholic, or anyone who believes in God for that matter, no one could consciously and rationally think that an eternity of pain, torment and despair would be preferable to their present condition, no matter how bad it may be.

 

Suicide is a very desperate act, and we can’t help feeling sorrow for those who commit it.  They may be denied the comforts of the funeral rituals, but they should not be denied our most fervent prayers that God will take pity on their poor, confused souls.  More importantly, let’s pray for all those who may be tempted to despair, especially during this holiest of seasons.  May God provide them with the graces and consolations they need to see all the good things they have to be thankful for, and to have the courage to follow our blessed Lord in his propitiatory sufferings.  They can do so much real good by suffering with him, and we must pray that their eyes may be opened to the wonderful benefits, graces and blessings they may merit if only they would follow in his footsteps and join their own sacrifice with his.  The peace and joy of the Christmas season be upon them!