Horrific news

This morning I learned that a young man, a relative of mine through marriage, is in hospital, in a coma, after what may have been a suicide attempt. His survival is questionable; if he does survive, he may have a lot of continuing severe problems from this situation. It is impossible to know what would be "best" for him. His extended family is devastated. His immediate family has already endured the deaths of two of his siblings; how does one go on? How much tragedy can one family, can one mother, absorb and still put one foot in front of the other?

The young man was, as a child, molested by a priest. For him, that experience was utterly destructive. Something in his spirit was, it seems, irretrievably broken, he could not recover, his life has not been good since. Perhaps he had underlying vulnerabilities; don't we all? but his story carries that chill of encountering radical evil, his life carries the agony of radical suffering. No amount of "everything is part of God's plan" theology can come close to touching the suffering of this man and of everyone who has loved him. The worst CAN happen, and in his case, whether he lives or dies, it has happened.

Pray, please, for the whole extended family of this man--cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, mother. Pray that the hospital crew caring for their loved one may be competent and kind, pray that they may have the supports they need in the days to come, pray that somehow they may know peace.