Father Damien was a priest who became famous for his willingness to serve lepers. He moved to Kalawao, a village on the
Father Damien was not careful about keeping his distance. He did nothing to separate himself from his people. He dipped his fingers in the poi bowl along with the patients. He shared his pipe. He did not always wash his hands after bandaging open sores. He got close. For this the people loved him.
Then one day he stood up and began his sermon with two words: "We lepers…" Now he wasn't just helping them. Now he was one of them. From this day forward he wasn't just on their island; he was in their skin. First he had chosen to live as they lived; now he would die as they died. Now they were in it together.
One day God came to earth and began His message: "We lepers…" Now He wasn't just helping us. Now He was one of us. Now He was in our skin. Now we were in it together.
The story of incarnation is
the story of love. Many people didn't
recognize Him as God, of course. They
were looking for someone a little flashier.
They expected more in the way of special effects, not someone who would
take on all our limitations. He came as
Waldo. Many people saw Him, but only a
few recognized Him. Those who missed Him
did not generally do so out of a lack of knowledge. What blinded them was pride.
-- John Ortberg in God Is Closer Than You Think
#3461
Fantastic post today! The story about Father Damien was an eye-opener.
ReplyDeleteWe should not distance ourselves from those who need our love and compassion.
He was a very brave man.
But...Jesus was even braver (if I can call Him brave).
Jesus stayed in the midst of those with diseases; those who hated him.
Then Jesus died for us--to forgive our sins.
Yes, "we" are all in this together...
Blessings to you!
Jeanette M., Wisconsin
I traveled to Molokai in 2006 and rode mules down the sea cliffs to this village, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. At the time, there were still approximately 40 people living there who had been diagnosed many years ago with Hansen's Disease (leprosy). During our visit, the current residents were nowhere to be seen, preferring to not "be on display" as the 12 of us walked through the current village. We then rode to the original village in an old van where Father Damien established his church, and where he eventually was buried . . . according to the story, the Danish people wanted his body back but Father Damien's wishes were to be buried underneath a tree next to the church. They left one of his hands there, I believe to signify his healing hand. He was the only person assisting this amazing colony of people that developed leprosy . . . everyone else never acquired the disease. Hansen's became treatable in 1940, but before then, over 11,000 people were transported to this peninsula on Molokai to die. Again, and ironically, one of the most beautiful places, and one of the saddest I have ever experienced.
ReplyDeleteA little trivia . . . the opening scene of Jurassic Park was taken where many of the people were forced to swim with their meager belongings to the island. The boats couldn't come close enough to land on the beach. Incredibly sad . . .
L. Dorn, Wisconsin