As Christians we shouldn't be so heavenly-minded that we are of no earthly use. It is good sometimes to grapple with hard issues that at times we may not want to look at.

 

Last Sunday morning, we looked at the subject of bereavement. I know that there are many whose experiences of loss are still fresh but the message last Sunday is that we care about these things and we want to pray for and support those who are going through times of loss and adjustment.

 

This evening, we will be looking at the issue of assisted dying or the 'right to die.' As Christians we are wrong to isolate ourselves from debates and discussions on these issues. We constantly hear in the media about people making the trip abroad (often to Switzerland) in order to take their life in a supposedly humane and dignified way. The media often presents it in such a sympathetic way where people can choose the time and place of death, and family members have the opportunity to say proper goodbyes.

 

But every time there is such a report or program, it erodes the value and worth of the weak and vulnerable in our society. The more common and easy it is seen to be, the more pressure there will be on the weak and vulnerable to consider and possibly take these options.