Healing and Wholeness - def'n - RELATIONSHIP

 

Ableism – Ableism is defined by accessliving.org as: discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and defines people by their disability.

Today’s readings invite us to consider and wrestle with our bias and prejudice around ableism; to ponder that each of us is one accident away from possible disability; to acknowledge that aging changes what we can and can not do. We are asked to deeply think about what healing and wholeness are.

 

The Isaiah text shares a familiar passage, repeated throughout prophetic texts: the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf shall be opened; the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. …the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the mute speak. Human interpretations of these images have led to conditions like blindness being seen as bad, a consequence of sin, at the very least, less than. Author Amy Kenny, who has a disability, wrote a book, “My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church” describing her experience of ableism in the church. She did not see herself as less than, she did not want or need prayers for healing.  She writes that the church because of its prejudice was missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability.

 

If asked, would you agree or disagree with the statement: Blindness is something to be fixed.? Healed? I have met blind people who ‘see’ very well, with their ears and hands and intuitions. Ableism is the assumption of those who see with their eyes, that sightedness of the eyes is wholeness for the blind. The text from Isaiah helps solidify the assumption; the blind shall see.

 

Too often our idea of wholeness is equated or connected in our minds to a definition of perfection. What does it mean for something to be perfect. Perfection is a fickle thing, for it is based on perceptions, personal notions, or societal ideals of what ‘perfect’ is.

 

On that nice sunny warm autumn feeling afternoon this past week, I went for a run. It was wonderful, -dare I say perfect- both relaxing and rejuvenating. It was healing. It was exactly what my spirit and body needed. By this intro you would not have guessed that during the run I tripped and landed on the sidewalk. I skinned my knee and hand, road-rashed and bruised my shoulder. The run was not any less wholesome because I was hurt in the process.

 

There are many Christians who would describe Jesus as perfect. Jesus was also human. The Gospel for today suggests that while walking on earth, Jesus had some less than graceful moments; uncharitable even; others have called out Jesus’ prejudice. In the Gospel reading, healing and wholeness is found, not in the healings, as much as, in the heated conversation between the Syro-Phoenician woman and Jesus. The heated conversation is an open wound – where the woman is called dog. In the exchange of words, healing and wholeness arrive as Jesus’ perspective changes. Jesus is the one healed as his prejudice for this woman dissipates and he acts in compassion to heal her daughter. Jesus doesn’t become ‘perfect,’ but moves into a wholeness found in relationship and this new way of being changes Jesus’ approach to ministry. Jesus’ ministry journeys into wholeness as Jesus’ understanding of who is included in the invitation to God’s grace and unconditional love expands.

 

I read a commentary, that suggested that two very different healing stories are included here. The woman’s daughter is healed from afar at the request of the mother. The second has Jesus touching the deaf man and speaking to him. These two healing stories illustrate that faith journey, healing, is not the same for everyone. The stories and healings are distinct because each person has a distinct relationship with Jesus, with God.

I think about healing and wholeness in my work as pastor when called to pray, to visit the sick, and to be present in the ER. And then there are the times I have sat at bedsides of those who are 100% dying --- when a pastor is invited to come and pray, what kind of prayers do families want? What would you want me to pray for a loved one? Healing of the sick? Raising the dead? Safe passage?

My go-to is a prayer for healing to wholeness – in some cases the prayer is answered in bodily healing, for others it is the peace of death that comes through suffering, but far more often prayers for wholeness are answered in relationships – moments and miracles that happen between family members and friends at the bedside– miracles and moments that include forgiveness, confession, repentance, gratitude, remembrance, compassion, care, service, humility, love.

 

At our last National church assembly, the church received a report from the ELCIC Task Force Addressing Ableism.  In this report the Task Force wrote:

Disability is part of being human. It is a condition or experience from injury, illness, or a unique development which makes it more difficult for a person to engage in meaningful activity or interact with the world around them. Disability can be easily identifiable, invisible, temporary, and/or permanent and is not a fixed experience. Inclusion in our context is naming that all people are made in the image of God, and so living in relationship with each person as complete and valuable in and of themselves. Inclusion seeks to engage each person as they are in the whole of our church body and family. – ELCIC task force addressing ableism report 2022

Inclusion in our context is naming that all people are made in the image of God, and so living in relationship with each person as complete and valuable in and of themselves. Inclusion seeks to engage each person as they are in the whole of our church body and family.

The Task Force speaks of relationship – living in relationship the people of God are made whole. We are each valuable and complete as we are. We acknowledge that disability is part of being human. We are healed and whole when we are in relationship, being community, loving one another and letting others love us. Relationship in community has be think of two titles from authors writing about disability that speak to me about healing and wholeness:  Shane Clifton wrote, “Crippled Grace,” and Brian Brock wrote, “Wondrously Wounded.” As pastor, I listen and hear that which cripples and wounds. There are few in this community who have not been introduced to disability. We are a community of the wondrously wounded and expressions of crippled grace.

 

So, what do we do with the passages of scripture that have the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, the mute talking? We can keep reading!

These passages do not end in the dualism, God’s grace comes in what follows. Unfortunately, what follows is not what has stuck in our minds or settled into our hearts.

Today we keep reading, God’s grace is found in what follows in the image of water in the desert. Augsburg’s Sundays and Seasons resource has this to say:

Isaiah’s images of water in the desert can help us parse the nuances of this issue. In places marred by drought, water breaking forth is wholeness and shalom; streams of water in the desert’s rainy season allow for life the whole year long. And yet deserts are vital ecosystems teeming with life, and we ought not make deserts into marshes; part of the wholeness of creation is a diversity of creation. Likewise, part of shalom in the human community is a diversity of ability. Creation models a good human life.

 

We are each made in the image of God and loved by God. We are valuable and complete as we are. We are a community who is in relationship with each other and this diversity makes us whole. We are healed through relationship with each other and God; we are wondrously wounded and are beautiful expressions of crippled grace.

 

 

We pray with a prayer written by Rev. Steve Hoffard on the occasion of a joint meeting of the ELCIC Task Forces on ableism; homophobia; racism.

 

Creator God,

You have formed every one of us in your image. All of us molded as a unique and beautiful part of your diverse creation…each of us equally loved, valued and precious in your sight.

As a church we recognize that truth and sometimes even proclaim it while sadly at the same time erecting barriers, sometimes unknowingly, too often even knowingly, to those who differ from us in anyway.

We know we have work to do. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to help each other be a better church, we ask that you come among us not only today but in the days ahead as we continue this work.

Inspire us with courage and creativity. Challenge us to new learning. Push us when we get stuck.

Help us to listen carefully to one another and to those who have been pushed to the margins and give us strength to carry on even when the work is hard. This we continue to pray until all are included and celebrated without exception ... without obstacles ... and without endless debate. In the name of the one who fully welcomes all to the table, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

-Rev. Steve Hoffard (on occasion of joint meeting of ELCIC task forces: ableism; homophobia, biphobia, transphobia; racism, white supremacy, and racial justice. Nov. 2021)