We lost my mother after a long battle cancer about 10 years ago, because of this, my Father's fear of medical treatment is now full blown trauma. He is in his early 70s, but recently started feeling dizzy, and has partial vision loss in his left eye. He has had no drooping, and is physically able to do everything he normally can. Except he needs to rest from stomach pain, and can't drive (because he can't see).
I am really concerned about his health, but he refuses to go to urgent care (it's been ongoing since 11/6). But he is extremely religious (catholic), and believes the loss of sight with pretty colors is sent from God, so he can atone for his sins before he dies and thus avoid purgatory. I want him to get this checked before things get worse, but he is very strong willed and just repeats "I trust God".
How do I navigate this situation, with his serious medical issue and angry refusal to go to the Doctor?
We have tried appealing to his religious side, begging him, making promises if he just has it checked then he does not have to get anything treated, and trying to emotionally open up about our worry and love for him. I want to keep him healthy and safe.
Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, "Jump in, I can save you."
The stranded fellow shouted back, "No, it's OK, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me."
So the rowboat went on.
Then a motorboat came by. "The fellow in the motorboat shouted, "Jump in, I can save you."
To this the stranded man said, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith."
So the motorboat went on.
Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, "Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety."
To this the stranded man again replied, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith."
So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.
Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, "I had faith in you but you didn't save me, you let me drown. I don't understand why!"
To this God replied, "I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/conditions-13362
I collect these Indulgences which are so important to a number of Catholics that they're framed and hung in a prominent location inside the home. Many of them are also quite beautifully ornate with their detailed artwork, a real treasure!
Talk to your parish priest about getting one issued. And having the priest himself talk to dad, and giving him Last Rites/Extreme Unction if need be, complete with the large cross, holy water and all the rest of the contents. That may be the wake up call dad needs to decide it's not time to be with Lord just yet.
Good luck!
A flood is expected in town, and Mr. Townsend, a very religious man has turned to God to save him. In the morning, a person from Social Services comes by telling him they're there to help people evacuate the town. Mr. Townsend refuses to leave and says he is praying to God, and believes that God will save him.
Hours later, the waters have reached his waist, and he sees the fire-department in a boat outside of his house telling him they're there to evacuate him from the rising waters. Mr. Townsend again refuses to leave, saying that his undying devotion to God will save him.
A few hours later, the town levees have burst, and Mr. Townsend is forced by the rising waters to seek refuge outside on his own roof top. A coast-guard helicopter spots him, and one of the crew gets lowered down to him among the howling winds and rain and says he's here to save him. Again, Mr. Townsend says, "I don't need you to save me, God will do that" and refuses to be taken.
Within minutes, the rising waters become too much, he is swept off his roof and into the raging waters where Mr. Townsend eventually drowns.
Up in heaven, Mr. Townsend meets God and angrily says to Him: "I feel so betrayed, I put all my faith in You, and yet you did nothing to save me!"
To which God replies, "But I sent you Social Services, the Fire Department and the Coast Guard, and you refused them every time."
That's the version of the story I always tell, but I've been thinking, another ending to that story could have been that Mr. Townsend drowns, but is perfectly content, knowing that God was with him the whole time, and when he sees God, is at peace knowing that his faith DID save him.
Dear God,
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The Courage to change the things I can,
And the Wisdom to know the difference.