Watercooler 4/24/2017 Open Thread: Icarus, falling...

The myth of Daedalus and Icarus

The myth of Daedalus and Icarus is one of the most known and fascinating Greek Myths. Icarus was too young and too enthusiastic about flying. He got excited by the thrill of flying and carried away by the amazing feeling of freedom and started flying high to salute the sun, diving low to the sea, and then up high again.

His father Daedalus was trying in vain to make young Icarus to understand that his behavior was dangerous, and Icarus soon saw his wings melting. Icarus fell into the sea and drowned.

Aaron Hernandez dead after hanging self in prison cell

Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, who was serving a life sentence for a 2013 murder and was acquitted last week in a 2012 double slaying, has committed suicide in prison. Corrections officers found Hernandez hanging in his cell at 3:05 a.m. at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley.

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I am not much of a sports guys, but I do like pro football. A great deal has been said and written about Aaron Hernandez. Having watched him play, a part of me is sad to think that someone can achieve so much, and throw it away so quickly, finally ending his life in such a sordid manner. Being Roman Catholic, the theology of the Church teaches that suicide can be a mortal sin if that sin meets three requirements: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent…all of which seem to be present here.

I don’t sanction Hernandez’s actions, but another part of me hopes that a kind and merciful God had a plan for young Hernandez, that even after such callous and self-centered behavior, that God will be loving and forgiving and hold him close in His arms. Perhaps the open thread will generate some insight, please enjoy…