The Sin of Suicide

CatholicEducation.org ^ | 2003 | Father William Saunders

[Salvation]

God is the judge. He knows all the details. Sometimes we think we do, but we really don’t.

[Cvengr]

I’ve heard it associated that whenever a temptation of suicide arises, there frequently is also a temptation of 1 to 3 other forms of arrogance: self-justification, self-deception, and/or self-absorption.

In each of these forms of arrogance, the person being tempted fails to exercise faith in what God has exercised at the Cross.

[Sto Zvirat]

You believe what you want, I have no problem with that. I’ll believe (or not believe) what I want. Thanks.

[Girlene]

So sorry for your loss as well, navyblue. I cannot imagine the pain that family members feel when a loved one chooses that path.

[goat granny]

My error in my post was in regard to a cat scan, it was a pet scan that records not the physical brain as a cat scan does but how well the brain uptakes the necessary things from the blood stream to function properly..In some patients large parts of the brain are not even functioning while some parts are....they show up as different colors on the pet scan according to how much is functioning normally...

[steve86]

I’m with you.

Me too.

[steve86]

Yes, PET is a function-oriented brain scan. But results are not consistent across patients — depression has many causes, differing manifest symptoms and various treatments. I also concur that religion doesn't necessarily make one feel better — but can allow one to bear the cross a little longer. That serves God's will. No matter how bad and dysfunctional I might feel, I still manage to get out a few choppy fragments of a Rosary during those blackest of times. I believe that's why I'm still here, more so than the antidepressive drugs.

[longhorn too]

My son of 28 years committed suicide 05/16/2010. My wife and I did not get to see his body and had to have a closed casket because he had stuck a 12 gauge shot gun in his mouth and pull the trigger. The police and funeral director said we did not want to remember him that way.

My son had been depressed for several years and his doctor changed his medication about two or three months before he died. Was it the change in medication? I don’t know.

He had accepted Christ as his savior when he was younger and you could see the fruits of his salvation. We are baptist and believe once saved always saved. I talked to my pastor about this and he said that God would not go back on his promise when my son was saved and that he was with God.

No parent should have to go through this but God has given my wife and I to live from one day to the next, with the hope and promise that we will see our son again.

[Girlene]

I’ve heard it associated that whenever a temptation of suicide arises, there frequently is also a temptation of 1 to 3 other forms of arrogance: self-justification, self-deception, and/or self-absorption. In each of these forms of arrogance, the person being tempted fails to exercise faith in what God has exercised at the Cross.

That may be, but when someone talks about their temptation of suicide it is up to the rest of us to get them help. By expressing their feelings, they are showing their desire to live. They are asking for help.

[Judith Anne]

Standing beside you in sorrow, as a friend, to share your pain. None of us are perfect parents. I think that if I could have one “wish” come true, it would be to be a perfect parent to my children whom I love beyond words.

But none of us can, and we can’t protect them, either, no matter how we want to; any parents would rather suffer anything than have their children suffer, but that is not given to us. The Almighty knows our deepest heart, and weeps with us in His Love.

[steve86]

In each of these forms of arrogance, the person being tempted fails to exercise faith in what God has exercised at the Cross.

You don't realize you yourself are arrogant in accusing suicidal patients of this gibberish.

In many cases, depression is a cross to bear and the afflicted serves God's will by suffering so. It can be a form of redemptive suffering, up to but not including suicide.

[thecodont]

God bless and comfort you and your wife.

[nralife]

Yes, thanks for posting this!

[Salvation]

May God bless you in your sorrow.

[goat granny]

I am so sorry for your loss, there is no greater one than to lose a child. Sometimes we have to quit asking for guidance and take action. I knew there was something wrong, but didn't know what it was. I started with the family doctor to rule out anything physical and then he sent me to a great psychiatrist. It took a while to find the right combination of medications, but we finally did. You don't get out of that hole immediately, it takes time and that's when you can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Prayer can assist at that point. It helps you through it.

If people were not so afraid of mental problems they might seek help sooner..

It was not your fault that your son choose his way. You may feel so, but its not true. At maturity we make our own choices but it leaves those left behind devastated. I prayed for a year and finally said (don't be offended) the heck with this, I'm going to the doctor to find out whats wrong. I was in my 30's and my parents had nothing to do with my situation. Neither did you have any thing to do with your son's situation.

I remember reading years ago someplace in the OT that G-d gives us physicians also...maybe in was in proverbs, I don't remember. I know nothing I can say will help ease your grief, I too lost a child shortly after birth. Her name was AnnMarie and she only lived 10 hours, so I understand your pain, but just know, it was not your fault..We all make our own decisions.

There can be many reasons for suicide, for some it is a brain that is not functioning correctly. I am glad I am not the one that judges after death. But I do believe G-d is merciful and only He reads the heart...

[goat granny]

You are a wise woman.

PS It must be the name, I am a Judith also..:O)

[NavyCanDo]

That’s a heart breaking story, I am so sorry. I do believe God when he said he will not leave his work incomplete. What he started in your son when he accepted Christ was complete when he left this World, no matter how he left his mortal body. Rest assure he is now at home with the Lord.

[Salvation]

These readings from the Sunday Mass seem to be appropriate here. Especially the First Reading and the Gospel, also the Psalm.

February 27, 2011

Sunday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2
Gospel

Reading 1

Is 49:14-15

Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my LORD has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.

 

---

Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Responsorial Psalm

R. (6a) Rest in God alone, my soul.
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
R. Rest in God alone, my soul.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. Rest in God alone, my soul.
With God is my safety and my glory,
he is the rock of my strength; my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him.
R. Rest in God alone, my soul.

 

---

1 Cor 4:1-5

Reading 2

Brothers and sisters:
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.

 

---

Mt 6:24-34

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

[Judith Anne]

We never know who is reading these threads, do we?

Steve and GG: I just want to say that even though we only know each other here, I am so pleased to have both of you in my life. You have an impact, and of course you will never know, in this life, who you have touched, or how you have made life’s burdens a little lighter just by your presence — yet, you have. That’s important. The world needs all the good folks it can get....

[Salvation]

Losing a child is so difficult. Here is a non-denominational grief recovery weekend.

Beginning Experience -- a weekend retreat in your area to work through grief and reach the healing that is possible for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one