Stanek Sunday quote: “God used my sister’s death to save me” ~Bobby Schindler
I honestly believe this has saved me. All the focus of me and my family was to save my sister, when, in reality, God used her to save me, perhaps. The way I was living back then I was on the path to eternal damnation. How could I ever thank my sister for what she’s done?
~ Bobby Schindler, speaking on the court-ordered death by starvation and dehydration of his disabled sister, Terri Schiavo, at the behest of her husband Michael, on March 31, 2005. Quoted by the National Catholic Register, January 10
Terri’s Day 2013 will be April 5, with a memorial Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, which I (Jill) will attend.
Jan.13, 2013 8:02 am |
Euthanasia |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I’m just never going to understand this way of thinking, that it’s good when horrible things happen because something positive may result. Maybe I am just missing something internally, or whatever, but I just don’t get it. Even if something positive maybe resulted from someone having an abortion (someone close to that woman becoming pro-life, for example) or my terrible childhood, or anything else screwed up and horrifying, how do these positive things justify the terrible things it took to happen? I don’t think I am ever going to understand that way of thinking.
Interesting story and I feel that there’s alot to the Schiavo case that the media didn’t report on very well. I don’t entirely agree with Bobby Schindler, however, that ethics committees simply exist to put the seal of approval on killing patients. There needs to be a balance when it comes to end of life care. I’m a nurse and some family members seem determined to prolong their (?) loved one’s dying process unnecessarily. (I know that Terri Schiavo was not actively dying and I’m not referring to the Schindler family here.)
My brother approves of what was done to Terri Schiavo. He also strongly supports criminalizing abortion. He writes, “Doctors don’t normally remove healthy body parts.” He doesn’t consider the status of the unborn — who are usually healthy — relevant to that of irretrievably sick people.
“that it’s good when horrible things happen because something positive may result.”
It’s not that evil is ever good or justifiable, but hasn’t it happened to you that something good has come out of a bad situation, even other people’s evil behavior? I’ve had that experience, although of course it’s not pleasant to go through.
“but hasn’t it happened to you that something good has come out of a bad situation, even other people’s evil behavior?”
Not really. It’s hard to quantify though. I like to think I’m a decent guy, but I don’t know if my decent qualities are in spite of, because of, or unrelated to any tragedies that have befallen me or any crappy choices I have made. For all I know I would be 100% a better person given less terrible things happening.
Jack,
part of ‘this problem’ is knowing for sure that I am 100.000000% RIGHT! Even Jesus’ apostles were not that certain about Him, nor even themselves. Maybe it is the mind-boggling arrogance, that undercuts any of our obvious stupidities.
I do know for sure that there is pain & that other people suffer too. Heck, that’s the way I know there are ‘others’ to-reach-out-to. Like most I need this reaching-out, this love. It lessens the pain, somehow.
Jack you should watch this. It helped me with the exact thing you are talking about. The Priests name is Fr. John Riccardo. His own story is amazing, but this video about Knowing Jesus and not just Knowing ABOUT him is really good.; http://vimeo.com/24368093
I truly feel that Terri’s “husband” attempted to murder her and THAT is why she was in a disabled state. He did NOT want her to be able to incriminate him and so he fought to have her “terminated”. He won….and now his secret is safe!
RIP Terri….you poor dear…..we fought for your life so much….to no good end, unfortunately!
I’m just never going to understand this way of thinking, that it’s good when horrible things happen because something positive may result. Maybe I am just missing something internally, or whatever, but I just don’t get it. Even if something positive maybe resulted from someone having an abortion (someone close to that woman becoming pro-life, for example) or my terrible childhood, or anything else screwed up and horrifying, how do these positive things justify the terrible things it took to happen? I don’t think I am ever going to understand that way of thinking.
Self-comfort. Sometimes crappy things just happen, and are crappy.
Bad things are bad, but can be used for good. Scriptures state that God works all things for good for those that love him.
There are many times in my life God has used weakness, sickness, death and even the sins and malevolence of others to my good. Either because of a string of events they began, or by drawing me closer in those times.
Even the ultimate evil, the slaughter of God’s own son was used for good, to save the world.
I totally get what Bobby Schindler is saying here. We’re dealing with a long, slow terminal health issue in our extended family and I totally see God at work in this situation. Loving someone self-sacrificially through an illness…it changes you. Those that refuse the self-sacrifice required are changing for the worse. Those that embrace the self-sacrifice required are changing for the better. It’s really quite miraculous. We will never be the same.
God pours abundant graces out on us during our greatest times of suffering and sorrow. This is the reality made manifest in Bobby Schindler’s conversion.
Jack – You have much more wisdom and empathy than most people of your age.
I know I gained a lot of “undesired” wisdom and grace in the midst of pain and loss. God is unfathomable, and always good.
Always.
but the devil is real-so, yeah, sometimes bad things happen, and they are just bad and the devil wins and people despair. But God knows what prayers your going to offer up before you give them-so, just in case your invitation for Him to be a part of your life will allow Him to make lemonade out of some lemons, pray. You never know, your testimony could be what He uses as His juicer.
G.A.P. (God Answers Prayers)
Jack, Bobby wasn’t saying that Terri’s death was justified because something good came out of it for him. Good things coming out of a horrible situation don’t justify the horror- but good things often happen despite the horror.
Christians don’t say “oh yeah, I’m so sorry you were raped/murdered/abused/betrayed but it’s all ok because something good happened afterwards”. Awful, horrible things remain that way. The miracle is that despite awful things happening, God often works out something good.
Personal example-
My father shot himself in ’96 and died. It remains the most traumatic thing I’ve been through. I moved home to help my mom and brothers, and went to a state univ I never wanted to attend. Had an awful fate not forced my hand, I never would have met my husband and father of my kids at that univ. So, I’ll never be glad my dad died tragically, alone and in despair. I am still glad I met my Billy. Something horrid, something beautiful. Somehow connected, and yet I’ll never celebrate the horrid. Life is mysterious.
Wow, Mary Ann, sorry for your experience.
Jill! Hope to see you there. I live not far from Philly.
Wow, Mary Ann. Your last couple of lines said it all. I was going to try and reply to Jack, but no need now.