Dcn Anne Strong

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is a fact that one in four of today’s twenty-year-olds will have a disability before they retire. Ninety percent acquire a disability as a result of illness. One in seven children between the ages of two and eight have a behavioral, developmental, or intellectual disability.

The common thought in Biblical times was that those who processed differently or struggled with clear thinking, voices, or anxiety, were possessed. Even today a quick google search regarding people who are differently-abled will point us to a plethora of writings offering a cure leaning into God through prayer and scripture. The unwritten message is that if this does not work, there is something wrong with your faith.

In today’s Gospel, the most crucial element of our life is our faith. Mark illustrates people turning to Jesus out of their deep faith in his abilities to heal.

“Healing” is defined as the process of becoming sound or healthy again.

“Cure” is to relieve the symptoms of a disease or a condition.

In Mark Jesus banishes the physical illnesses of Jarius’ daughter and another woman. They are cured. This is what was sought but what about those not in receipt of what they hoped for?

“Healing” is a broad term. One can be strengthened and repaired in mind and in spirit to improve the quality of their life, albeit a different one than what they had asked for. This is a different type of healing, and where “we” come in: we as the Body of Christ can befriend, receive and relate to each person, keeping in mind that we are all gifts to one another. We do not need to require sameness. It is all about making room at the table. For those of us who are differently abled this means deep acceptance and love within ourselves and in our faith community.

—Dcn Anne Strong