We may be called to be God’s Grace at the foot of someone’s cross

In 2020, as the world grappled with the global pandemic, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued “Samaritanus bonus,” a letter on how we, as Catholics, should care for persons in critical or terminal phases of life.  Approved by Pope Francis, Samaritanus bonus is an important document for healthcare professionals, pastoral care workers, caregivers and families, as well as the sick themselves.  

Essentially, the letter is an invitation to imitate the Good Samaritan, who not only draws nearer to the half-dead man he passes on the side of the road, but then takes responsibility for him (Luke 10:30-37). Samaritanus bonus proclaims the sacredness of every human life regardless of stage in life or condition.  

Concerning the sick and dying, the letter reaffirms the Hippocratic maxim, “first, do no harm.” It reiterates the Church’s prohibition on euthanasia and assisted suicide as intrinsically evil acts because they directly cause the death of an innocent human life.  It also addresses the “cultural obstacles,” namely “quality of life,” which is a false understanding of compassion and individualism that obscures our sense of the profound value of each human life and leads us to accept the practice of hastening death as a solution. 

Rejecting the notion of what Pope Francis refers to as a “throw-away culture,” the letter instead presents a beautiful pastoral vision and concrete guidelines on how to “remain with” the sick and the dying when a cure is unlikely or impossible. Just as the Good Samaritan looks at his neighbor with a “heart that sees” with profound compassion, so too, we are called to convey an attitude of love to those we love who are near death.

Samaritanus bonus speaks about the importance of palliative and hospice care as well as administering the Sacraments when death is near.  The letter describes the different stages of suffering for those in the process of dying – physical pain, psychological pain, moral suffering and spiritual suffering – and reminds us that Jesus, too, endured this suffering in His life and on the cross and that His suffering was used to open heaven.

In a very personal way, reflecting on Samaritanus bonus has provided me with some consolation. A number of years ago, my father became very ill with Parkinson’s disease.  His physical decline left him in a wheelchair and eventually daily tasks such as feeding himself became impossible.  

His mind became clouded with dementia and his words were few-and-far between. Thankfully, he always recognized me.  In his last year, he lived in an assisted living facility in the Memory Care section because of his dementia and the level of care he required.  It was during this time that God reorganized my life.

Each day I would leave my office at lunchtime to visit my dad for an hour and feed him lunch as best I could.  On the weekends, I would go and just sit with him or bring him to the Sunday Communion service in the community room.  Mostly, he would just sleep. Sometimes I would get a half smile.  

Being present to him became the most important part of my life and God showered me with graces during this time. I learned how to sit in quietness and simply be present.  Time spent with my dad became like a prayer for me and it helped me to learn how to be still and to listen to God’s heart whispers. I learned to see my dad, not as a burden or a project, but in all of his vulnerability - as a gift.

God blessed me with a “heart that sees” as I helped him to navigate the different phases of his suffering. In his final days, my family and I were able to bear witness to his unique and unrepeatable value by keeping vigil and by ‘remaining” by his bedside until God called him home.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month.  In a culture that increasingly devalues and even threatens the lives of the elderly and the terminally ill, perhaps it is a good time to reflect on and live out the principles of love, compassion and care outlined in Samaritanus bonus.  After all, we never know when we will be called to be instruments of God’s grace by sitting at the foot of the cross. To read the complete document and for additional resources, visit:  https://www.usccb.org/prolife/catholic-care-sick-and-dying