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You Are So Worth It

I have been blessed to be part of the team that writes these bulletin reflections for almost 20 years and while most of the time I stay focused on the readings of the current week or speak about something liturgical, sometimes recent events and encounters in my life compel me to share with you these experiences.

Recently I was present for a presentation by four women from “Naomi and Ruth” (they are presenting at Immaculate Heart of Mary this weekend).  These women were so courageous in sharing their life’s journeys.  How they had lived through some devastating events, addictions and decisions and how they had been left to feel like their life was not worth living and that if they died tomorrow, no one would care.  They then shared how through the “Naomi and Ruth” center they were able to turn their life around and how this was made possible by them accepting Jesus Christ as their saviour and turning their life over to him.  As I sat and listened, I was struck by the fact that we, as Catholics, don’t use this language very often.  Most of the time, when I hear someone saying that they had given their life to Christ, they are evangelic protestants.  Yet, they were quick to point out that they were not affiliated with any church and were there to share their story in the hope that it might positively affect someone going through similar struggles.  These ladies also act as mentors for new arrivals at the center.  It reminded me of this quote from Henri Nouwen: “It is foolish to think someone can lead you out of the desert who has never been there themselves.”  The whole experience was a stark reminder to me that we are never in a place so low that Jesus can’t raise us up, if we let him.

The other recent experience that is sticking with me is a three-night session on the program “Dying With Christ, Living With Hope.”  I was one of three facilitators for these evenings.  The format was to watch a short video regarding end-of-life care and then go into small breakout groups to discuss some very poignant questions.  Being in a small group with the same people three weeks in a row allowed you to develop trust that you could share what you truly felt and that it was safe.  One of the topics that was discussed was Medical Assistance in Dying.  I was surprised to hear that many people who are thinking of doing this are motivated by the fact that they feel they are a burden to their family, the health care system and society in general.  That they have outlived their usefulness.  One person told me they were going to do this as a favour for their family.  I asked them if they checked with their family to see if they thought it would be a favour or if they would much prefer more time spent with their loved one. 

I don’t know how we got to a place in our society today where people feel that their life, if not contributing positively to society, is not worth living, but we seem to be there.  In my opinion, I think we, as Christians, have forgotten the most important message that Jesus came to deliver.  That we are infinitely and endlessly loved by God and that as a child of God, we have an inherent worth and dignity that can never be taken away.  Whether you are an addict on the street or laying in a hospital bed nearing the end of life, you are God’s beloved child and there is nothing you can do that can change that.  I personally wish we spoke more about that and less about rules, regulations and sins.  My biggest regret in my faith journey is how I have failed to realize for most of my life how much I am loved.  I have spent far too much time pointing out my faults to myself and not enough time honing the gifts God has given me to be God’s presence and love in our world.  Thank you to the ladies from Naomi and Ruth and to the people in my small breakout group for reminding me of this.  As Garner Ted Armstrong used to say every night when signing off on the radio, “May God bless you and make you a blessing.”

Mark Mahone,
Pastoral Associate