Of feeding tubes and JP II
As 1 billion Catholics around the world mourn the passing of their great leader, Il Papa, His Holiness John Paul II, I can't help but think what a sad few weeks have passed.
First there was Terry Shiavo and her lifeless body staring blankly across the TV screens. Her involuntary blinking was the only indication of brain activity. I think of how sad it was to see all of these people trying to decide her fate. The way I see it is that Terry stopped being Terry a long time ago and what remained was a vessel of organic tissue. I, sure has heck, wouldn't want to remain in such a "vegetative state". I think Buddhists have it correct in the realization that the body is merely a vessel for the transient spirit.
The saddest part was not the fact that this poor woman was terminally ill but rather because she was being used in such a manner; as poster person for the euthanasia debate. Right-to-lifers declaring her 'saintly' by her existence when we don't really know anything about her (by all accounts, a good and decent person... But not sure about 'saintly'), good ole G-Dubya making his laughable claims about care for the dignity of human life (tell that your dead soldiers and to the Iraqis, Mr. Bush!), religious freaks super-imposed Terry's picture onto one of a praying Christ. All of this taking place precisely around Easter when Christians think most about life, death and the resurrection. We will never know if Terry would have approved or wanted to become so famous in her illness and death. I just couldn't help but think, every time I saw her, "let her rest in peace, please!".
As for John Paul II, I have very mixed feelings towards his passing. He was such a powerful figure in the world for most of my life and the only Pope I've ever really known. I will leave the eulogizing of the Pope as statesman to those who are much better at it than I am. He meant a lot to many many people in the world and that's hardly a bad thing. The strength of his convictions and the way he led his church for the past 26 years never wavered. Some proclaimed it 'beautiful' to see him suffering and struggling with all his remaining physical strength to utter a word or two in blessing. I saw many things in the dying Pope, a stubborn old man who refused to acknowledge his physical weaknesses and I saw a man, symbolically propped up by an archaic institution as a demonstration of 'strength'. I saw a great man who lived an extraordinary life to his dying moments and that is nothing to be sad about.
In my mind and my own spiritual convictions, I have had a deep relationship with the man. In childhood and adolescence, I sought refuge and guidance in the teachings of his church. I admired his moral 'uprightness', his charisma, his piety and his leadership. I was intensely passionate about some things he preached about and equally scornful of others. I still remember the brief moments that he passed in front of me in the Popemobile some 21 years ago, warmly smiling and waving. In adulthood, I learned more of the world and I came to realize that his church had no place for homo like me. I could not believe that a loving God and His church would create me and condemn me to damnation. I disagreed with the Church's (and therefore the Pope's) stance on homosexuality, on the role of women, on celibacy, the use of condoms, and on many issues of a moral nature. My disillusionment soon turned to rejection. I no longer consider myself Catholic. The world is full of other ideas and teachings. One cannot be selectively Catholic, you either believe it all or you don't. It's in the prayers and declarations, if you don't believe me. Still, John Paul's legacy remains deeply within my psyche.
I do not grieve of his passing. He was an old man whose time had come. I do not celebrate either. I am thankful for his presence in the world. He taught me many things about God, religion and gave me many things to reject as well. His legacy will loom for years to come.
Adieu, John Paul II!
First there was Terry Shiavo and her lifeless body staring blankly across the TV screens. Her involuntary blinking was the only indication of brain activity. I think of how sad it was to see all of these people trying to decide her fate. The way I see it is that Terry stopped being Terry a long time ago and what remained was a vessel of organic tissue. I, sure has heck, wouldn't want to remain in such a "vegetative state". I think Buddhists have it correct in the realization that the body is merely a vessel for the transient spirit.
The saddest part was not the fact that this poor woman was terminally ill but rather because she was being used in such a manner; as poster person for the euthanasia debate. Right-to-lifers declaring her 'saintly' by her existence when we don't really know anything about her (by all accounts, a good and decent person... But not sure about 'saintly'), good ole G-Dubya making his laughable claims about care for the dignity of human life (tell that your dead soldiers and to the Iraqis, Mr. Bush!), religious freaks super-imposed Terry's picture onto one of a praying Christ. All of this taking place precisely around Easter when Christians think most about life, death and the resurrection. We will never know if Terry would have approved or wanted to become so famous in her illness and death. I just couldn't help but think, every time I saw her, "let her rest in peace, please!".
As for John Paul II, I have very mixed feelings towards his passing. He was such a powerful figure in the world for most of my life and the only Pope I've ever really known. I will leave the eulogizing of the Pope as statesman to those who are much better at it than I am. He meant a lot to many many people in the world and that's hardly a bad thing. The strength of his convictions and the way he led his church for the past 26 years never wavered. Some proclaimed it 'beautiful' to see him suffering and struggling with all his remaining physical strength to utter a word or two in blessing. I saw many things in the dying Pope, a stubborn old man who refused to acknowledge his physical weaknesses and I saw a man, symbolically propped up by an archaic institution as a demonstration of 'strength'. I saw a great man who lived an extraordinary life to his dying moments and that is nothing to be sad about.
In my mind and my own spiritual convictions, I have had a deep relationship with the man. In childhood and adolescence, I sought refuge and guidance in the teachings of his church. I admired his moral 'uprightness', his charisma, his piety and his leadership. I was intensely passionate about some things he preached about and equally scornful of others. I still remember the brief moments that he passed in front of me in the Popemobile some 21 years ago, warmly smiling and waving. In adulthood, I learned more of the world and I came to realize that his church had no place for homo like me. I could not believe that a loving God and His church would create me and condemn me to damnation. I disagreed with the Church's (and therefore the Pope's) stance on homosexuality, on the role of women, on celibacy, the use of condoms, and on many issues of a moral nature. My disillusionment soon turned to rejection. I no longer consider myself Catholic. The world is full of other ideas and teachings. One cannot be selectively Catholic, you either believe it all or you don't. It's in the prayers and declarations, if you don't believe me. Still, John Paul's legacy remains deeply within my psyche.
I do not grieve of his passing. He was an old man whose time had come. I do not celebrate either. I am thankful for his presence in the world. He taught me many things about God, religion and gave me many things to reject as well. His legacy will loom for years to come.
Adieu, John Paul II!
posted by jadedmonkey at 3:48 p.m.
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