Abnormalities
Submitted by Ford Prefect on January 25 2001 22:35:58
In reply to Posing a question submitted by Dakota on January 25 2001 18:30:12
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Think of the condition of Jesus when he showed the depth of his love for us. Was it working miracles? Was in in powerful preaching? Was it being proclaimed King of the Jews? Was it his triumphant entry into Jerusalem? Was it in assembling a stalwart group of loyal followers? Was it in being surrounded by adoring people? Or was it in a condition of being despised, mocked, cast aside as useless? Those among us who have physical or mental abnormalities, illnesses or are suffering the ravages of aging are more like the Jesus in the second condition than the first. They have the ability to show us the true value of being human.....even when reduced to what we consider utter uselessness. But not many can bear to look. We're frightened of such abnormalities. We want to look away. We accept those who "overcome" them and become "just like one of us" and praise them for their extraordinary courage. Really we're praising them for having validated the importance of our normal way of living. My stepmother sees the beauty in my dad even though he's got Parkinson's disease and Altzheimer's. He can no longer care for himself....but he's still a vital part of her life and she'll miss him greatly when he's gone. Being able to see the goodness in those who are not like us and who, in fact are what we are terrified of becoming is a precious gift which only these people can give.....and only a courageous few have the willingess to accept. ---Ford |
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