Good Works

For various reasons, I have been thinking a lot about death lately. Most recently, I blame Scrubs. (Spoiler alert.)

Without being grim or sectarian, let me summarize. During an episode of the NBC ABC show last night, stars J.D. and Turk, two young doctors who had been roommates during college, walked an older patient–a retired football coach and widower–toward “the light.” Turk described himself as a “man of faith.” Dr. J.D.’s not quite there yet.

Over in the National Review world, we’re anticipating the likely imminent death of Father Richard John Neuhaus. He’s a Catholic priest who is on our masthead, was a longtime religion editor of ours, and founded the ecumenical journal First Things, which covers religion, politics, and culture. I’m a Catholic, too, and was surprised by the urgent pray-for-Fr.-Neuhaus-to-get-well e-mails. He’s been sick for a while now; this is his second relapse of cancer. And, as it happens, doctors don’t expect him to hang on for much longer. Which is sad for all who know him–a prolific writer, solid preacher, and generous man, he will be missed–and for all who would have liked to know him. But, for a faithful Catholic priest (and so many religious believers), death is actually joyous news.

Which is what Scrubs was getting at, with laughter and poignancy. There’s, of course, uncertainty, even for the doctor of “faith.” But there’s something good and decent and healthy about celebrating a life well lived and being at peace with its end. J.D.–again with no religious agenda of any sort–explained, when the patient worried no one would remember him, that he had similar concerns when his own father died. But years later, a homeless man (J.D. and his brother used to call him Mr. Stinky Pants) who his dad used to give food to–treat as a person and not a nuisance–approached him, fully employed and clean shaven. He told J.D. that his father had been a great man, making clear that simple kindness made a real difference in his (now known to J.D. as Kevin) life.

I’m not blogging at “Big Hollywood” to say you have to believe what I believe–I doubt you’d drop everything to rush to the “Taj Mahoney” in Los Angeles even if I tried to persuade you to do this (and, especially architecturally speaking, I wouldn’t blame you). I’m blogging to say “thank you” to all of you who do good things with your power in the entertainment world. There was nothing heavy-handed at work on Scrubs. Just something good.

UPDATE: Fr. Neuhaus died Thursday morning.