“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because
they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”—Matthew 9: 36
(NIV)
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over
it”—Luke 19:41
I included the above Scripture references in my first post
of this year. The post title, “A Time for Compassion,” outlined my need to follow
compassion as a way of life in. See, https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/37258556/4769733841293622971
Before I continue perhaps a caveat is in order. My post on
compassion in January has embraced me through 2022. I will offer a brief
response to what this means. I am aware of how controversial this post may be
to readers. I offer it as an example of how our compassion may be put into
action.
Compassion in a Time of Chaos
Compassion need not be a mere passive feeling but an
expression of action about a response to the plight of someone else. There is a
place for emotional response, yet this may not be enough. These past two years
remind me of the importance of speaking into the confused and destructive path
secular minds and actions have inflicted on Canada.
As a retired healthcare chaplain, I hang my head in shame in
response to how leaders introduced euthanasia to our country. Canada is now the
most permissive country in the world for the expansion of euthanasia, or
so-called Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Euthanasia has historically been
recognized as murder in Canada. For whatever reason it is now legal. The
reality of changing something in the Criminal Code to legal, does not make it
moral. This also does not make it an act of compassion.
Canada has chosen a destructive path by the inclusion of
euthanasia into the realm of “healthcare.” Politicians and healthcare
professionals do not exhibit wisdom in their unabashed use of this approach to
end-of-life. MAiD is even permitted in government funded hospice facilities
now. This shows disregard for the philosophy of hospice.
Compassion in Action
Over the almost past two years I have devoted my energy to
researching a compassionate and dignified response to euthanasia. Here is an
idea of how I hope to encourage Christians to turn to acts of compassion
instead of those which hasten death.
While I write this post my mind is on a ministry, I hope to
develop within the church community of which I am a member. The focus is on
end-of-life care for Christian people. This ministry offers a compassionate
presence to Orthodox Christians with a terminal illness and requesting
end-of-life spiritual care and support. A team of volunteers will assist
Orthodox Christians rediscover and follow the ancient Christian burial
practices, including a recognition of the physical body as a sacred vessel. As
our biological existence ends, we prepare for our transition from this world
and into the hands of God.
This ministry is not a mere noble gesture, but a viable
alternative to euthanasia in Canada. I ask God to help me nurture compassion
and love for people by not being involved in an act to hasten death.
I am aware this post may be met with mixed responses and
emotional reactions by readers. I cannot, however, ignore this blind direction
our country has chosen. On the other hand, as Christians, we can speak into the
darkness and resist it by compassion in action.
May
God show His compassion to Canada.
Alan lives in Deroche, B.C. with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He contributed stories to Good Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017; Story by Story: The Power of a Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018; Easter Stories & More by InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship, 2021. He is currently working on a book expressing the grief of grieving grandparents entitled, Hidden Poetic Voices: A Reflective Work of Grief, Faith, and Poetry. Alan periodically writes articles for FellowScript Magazine. He has written posts for our InScribe blog since 2015. Blog: https://scarredjoy.ca.
