Despair, Suicide
See also: Despair.
Despair consists in no longer expecting Good from the Future, and as such, it is an offense against God. Indeed, the despairing person ends up acting as if God does not exist, or as if God does not care to order all things toward our salvation, and then no longer believes in Providence. Despair leads to suicide.
In "The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me"
- It is true that suicide is a true murder: whether it concerns our life or that of another, it is a gift from God and to God alone who gave it is reserved the power to take it away. [...] And what is despair, if not Pride?[1]
- When the Word has enlightened all truth and given strength to the spirits with His Spirit, from that moment on, forgiveness will no longer be granted to those who die in despair.[2]
- The suicide of Judas.[3]
In other works of Maria Valtorta
Notebooks
- Catechesis of October 19, 1943: I looked at it, that tortured and heroic smile of my Mother, sole consolation, unique consolation that rose toward my scaffold. I looked at it to not allow despair to come near me. Look at it, you too, always. Look at it, O humans who suffer. The smile of Mary puts to flight the demon of despair.[4]
In fundamental Christian texts
In the Bible
- The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, and to take care of the desperate.[5]
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- By despair, man ceases to hope for his personal salvation from God. Either he presumes he can save himself without help from above, or he presumes to obtain his forgiveness without conversion.[6]
- Each person is responsible for his life before God who gave it to him. He remains the sovereign Master of it [...] One must not despair of the eternal salvation of those who have given themselves death.[7]