Sunday, December 30, 2007
the Highest Good at end of life
So, what is the highest good at the end of life? Comfort? Freedom from pain? Alleviation of suffering? Patient autonomy of choice? These are of course good things. Suffering for its own sake is certainly not to be sought.
But aren't there higher goods? Reestablishment of relationships? Asking and giving forgiveness? Mundane tasks like wills, bequests, insurance?
And for those of us who are Christians, if we really believe the story we claim, temporal suffering just isn't as big a deal for us as the decision to pursue God with faith, to confess our transgressions, to reach a saving faith.
An article in Touchstone magazine by a Hospice chaplain covers some of these concerns and I commend it to you.
But aren't there higher goods? Reestablishment of relationships? Asking and giving forgiveness? Mundane tasks like wills, bequests, insurance?
And for those of us who are Christians, if we really believe the story we claim, temporal suffering just isn't as big a deal for us as the decision to pursue God with faith, to confess our transgressions, to reach a saving faith.
An article in Touchstone magazine by a Hospice chaplain covers some of these concerns and I commend it to you.
