…Language Not Spoken
Why is there blindness? Why is there deafness? Why are there people with disabilities? In ancient times, people thought the sinfulness of the parents caused birth defects. But Jesus allays their fears:
“No one sinned, it is so that the works of God might be made visible.”
These disabilities lean on other senses that become enlivened and strengthened. In particular, the deaf use sign language and their communication and words take on a physical aspect creating drama and movement.
In the Fourth Sunday of Lent reading of March 26th, from Loyola Press, a man speaks about his deaf in-laws: “They speak with such expressive vigor and slapstick humor, their hands flying about like living words. And my in-laws’ beautiful hands, drawing the vertical sign for God down their faces, smashing an amen fist into a palm, do make God more visible for me.” That is a powerful image in and of itself.
Of course, disabled individuals are quietly blessed opportunities for all to be like Christ – for all to show their humanity through Christ. To be the ears of the deaf, the eyes of the blind, the words of the mute, the hands, legs, and feet of the lame and so much more – to be more about others, than ourselves.
However, with this synopsis, I am intrigued with the evangelization in a language not spoken. These “living words” through purposeful hands, allow God to be front and center to the receiver’s eyes and interpreted as a picture in our minds. Simple, powerful and engaging. And as we know, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Lord Have Mercy,
Paula 