Jimmy Mizen ~ the death of a brave Catholic boy who refused to fight

A young teenager, a devout Catholic and altar boy, from a devout family, was stabbed and killed in a bakery this week, after being challenged to a fight by a stranger, and refusing. The other boy stabbed him in the neck with broken glass, and Jimmy died bleeding in his brother’s arms. The report is here.

This tragedy and loss is made all the more poignant by the words of his Mother, Margaret:

Mrs Mizen, the mother of a further eight children, said that she refused to be bitter or filled with hate despite her son’s murder.

“People keep asking me ‘why are you not angry’, but there’s so much anger in this world. It’s anger that killed my son,” she said.

Would we be able to be such a great witness to Christ’s redeeming love in similar circumstances? I don’t think I can say “yes”, but then we don’t know what graces God bestows on us just at the time we need them. I remember too Abigail Witchalls, another devout Catholic who was stabbed in the neck whilst pregnant, and paralysed. Her faith carried her through the terrible ordeal, as she hovered on the brink of death. She later gave birth to a healthy son. Neither she or her family have ever spouted words of anger or hate against the man who attacked her.

Christians are called to react differently, to not lash out in hate; to seek justice but not revenge; to pray for good in circumstances which defy reality. Neither Margaret Mizen nor Abigail Witchalls are Saints (yet!) but God has granted each of them the grace to respond in love, just at the time they need it. His mercy is great, and so will be their reward, good and faithful servants. Pray for them! And pray for Jimmy Mizen…

Into your hands, O Lord
we humbly entrust our brother Jimmy.
In this life you embraced him with your tender love;
deliver him now from every evil
and bid him enter eternal rest.

The old order has passed away:
welcome him then into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain,
but the fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.

Amen.  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.