The New York Times obituary pages reported that he "was found yesterday in the garage of his home in Endicott, NY. . . He was 57. . . . The preliminary investigation shows no obvious signs of foul play. "¹ He "arranged his end carefully. He waited until his sister had left to visit relatives in Denver. He took his dog, Billy, to a kennel and paid the bill in advance. He asked a hunting buddy, Ricky Stefano, 27, to visit his home at 3 p.m. 'to help him move things in the garage' on the day he planned to die. In one of the several notes he left behind, (he) apologized to Stefano for the ruse but explained he wanted to spare his family the agony of discovering the body. In the garage, (he) had carefully laid out his will, tax forms and notes to relatives." ²

What a tragic account! Who was he? The person is well known to many Americans and to all baseball lovers. His name is Ron Luciano, past major league umpire! Ron Luciano was known for his flamboyant and theatrical style. Perhaps, we as Americans would engage in far greater soul searching if the list of famous and successful American who committed suicide were published.

I also realize that too often, it seems like great attention is paid to such tragic events only when it involves national figures as Ron Luciano. With the national suicide rate as high as it is, it is not just the suicide of national personalities that deserve the attention of Americans and whether it is a well-known umpire like Luciano, or one of our parents, children, relatives, or close friend, it is just as tragic and painful. Everyday, suicide is part of hundreds of families across America. Famous or ordinary, the pain is just as real and intense for any family going through such a valley.

Nevertheless, I well imagine that such accounts of suicide reach the pages of the New York Times, national magazines, and the evening news because we are always shocked when those who have seemingly succeeded so well in their field of endeavor bring such a deliberate end to their life. It seems like that such famous and wealthy individuals have far less reason to sink to despair compared to a innumerable number of Americans who struggle in life and who struggle in far greater ways. The question seemingly always lingers, "Why would such an individual as _____ end their life? They had 'succeeded' so well in life."

There are some clear messages that always come out of such distressing suicides. One lesson is surely this: The things of the world cannot meet the needs of the human heart. No matter how much we possess, no matter how many things we own and enjoy, these things cannot give us fulfillment and satisfaction. If the accumulation of things satisfied the human heart, then the most satisfied and contented people in this world ought to be Americans. However, Americans who have acquired wealth, who have attained power and/or position are among the ranks of those who have committed suicide even in the most recent days. It has been well said, God gave us people to love and things to use and we use people and we have fallen in love with things.

A second lesson that comes out of such accounts of suicide is that no matter how happy, or satisfied, or content one may seem to appear on the outside, there are great internal battles that many individuals face. In fact, even the closest of friends may never, and usually do not, know about their closest friend's lost love for life. How little do we know about others! To varying degrees, many people are able to communicate attitudes and feelings that are in no way reflective of how they truly feel. Many, if not all people , are able to wear a mask that even our most intimate friends do not and cannot see through. In fact, we do not even know ourselves very well. We are so very complex. Only God knows us comprehensively and exhaustively. As scripture states, all that we are is open and naked before Him with Whom we have to deal!

Let us never forget that God never created a world that could meet the needs of the human heart, a world that could replace Jesus. As the Lord clearly stated, "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul."

¹ New York Times, January 20, 1995 B7

² People Weekly, February 6, 1995 pgs. 99-100