Embracing Diversity: Disability, Inclusion, and Divine Image
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the profound themes of disability, inclusion, and the divine image in all bodies. We began with a prayer of gratitude for the land and the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for it, acknowledging our collective responsibility to make right with all our relations. Our gospel reading from Mark 7:24-37 recounted Jesus healing a deaf man, a story often interpreted as a testament to divine power and transformation. However, we delved deeper into the implications of such narratives, especially how they have historically shaped and sometimes distorted our understanding of disability.
We examined the problematic ways in which disability has been framed within both religious and cultural contexts, often seen as a sign of moral imperfection or a need for divine retribution. This perspective has led to discrimination and marginalization, reinforcing the notion that disabled bodies are less than whole. We challenged this view by exploring alternative interpretations of scripture, suggesting that the true miracle lies not in the curing of disabilities but in the transformation of communities towards greater inclusion and justice.
We also considered the powerful image of Jesus as a disabled body, resurrected with wounds still visible, embodying vulnerability and interdependence. This image calls us to reshape our communities and our church to welcome and celebrate all bodies as part of God's diverse creation. We concluded with a call to action, urging us to be a body of Christ that is diverse, connected, and committed to transformation.
### Key Takeaways
1. Gratitude and Lament for Creation: We began with a prayer acknowledging the land and the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for it. This prayer serves as a reminder of our responsibility to make right with all our relations and to care for God's creation. It calls us to reflect on the ways we have harmed the earth and to seek repentance and transformation. [14:07]
2. Reinterpreting Disability in Scripture: The healing of the deaf man in Mark 7 is often seen as a testament to divine power. However, we must consider how such narratives have historically shaped our understanding of disability. Rather than seeing disability as something needing cure, we should view these stories as calls to transform our communities towards greater inclusion and justice. [19:49]
3. Disability as Part of God's Good Design: Disability should not be seen as a sign of moral imperfection or a need for divine retribution. Instead, it is part of God's good design. We are all God's children, and to suggest that disabled bodies are less sanctified is to suppress the image of God in them. This perspective calls us to celebrate and include all bodies in our communities. [25:01]
4. Jesus as a Disabled Body: The image of Jesus as a resurrected body with visible wounds challenges our notions of perfection. It calls us to embrace vulnerability and interdependence as essential aspects of our humanity. This image invites us to reshape our communities to welcome and celebrate all bodies, recognizing the divine in each one. [33:54]
5. Transforming Communities: The true miracle in the healing stories of the Bible lies not in the curing of disabilities but in the transformation of communities. We are called to create communities that are inclusive, just, and affirming of all people. This transformation requires us to challenge discriminatory practices and mindsets and to work towards a society that celebrates diversity. [31:49]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:07] - Opening Hymn
[19:49] - Gospel Reading: Mark 7:24-37
[21:03] - Disability and Strength
[22:23] - Ableism in Media
[23:42] - Personal Reflections on Disability
[25:01] - Disability as Part of God's Design
[26:21] - Biblical Views on Disability
[27:31] - Historical Context and Discrimination
[29:03] - Metaphorical Interpretations
[30:57] - Systemic Readings of Scripture
[31:49] - Community Transformation
[33:18] - Allies and Advocacy
[33:54] - Jesus as a Disabled Body
[35:10] - Nancy Eisland's Vision
[36:40] - Closing Prayers and Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 7:24-37 - The healing of the deaf man by Jesus.
2. Isaiah 35:5-6 - "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jesus take to heal the deaf man in Mark 7:24-37?
2. How does Isaiah 35:5-6 describe the transformation of the land and the people?
3. According to the sermon, how have historical interpretations of healing stories in the Bible shaped our understanding of disability? [26:21]
4. What image of Jesus is presented in the sermon that challenges traditional notions of perfection? [33:54]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the healing of the deaf man in Mark 7:24-37 be understood as a call to community transformation rather than just a physical cure? [31:49]
2. In what ways does the image of Jesus as a resurrected body with visible wounds invite us to rethink our understanding of disability and perfection? [33:54]
3. How does the sermon suggest we reinterpret the concept of disability as part of God's good design? [25:01]
4. What are the implications of viewing disability not as a sign of moral imperfection but as an integral part of God's diverse creation? [27:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the prayer of gratitude and lament for creation mentioned in the sermon. How can you personally contribute to caring for God's creation and making right with all our relations? [14:07]
2. The sermon challenges us to transform our communities towards greater inclusion and justice. What specific steps can you take to make your community more inclusive for people with disabilities? [31:49]
3. How can the image of Jesus as a disabled body with visible wounds influence the way you view your own vulnerabilities and those of others? [33:54]
4. Think about a time when you witnessed or experienced discrimination based on disability. How did it affect you, and what can you do to challenge such discriminatory practices in the future? [27:31]
5. The sermon calls us to celebrate all bodies as part of God's diverse creation. What practical actions can you take to ensure that your church or community is welcoming and affirming of all people, regardless of their physical abilities? [25:01]
6. How can you be an ally or advocate for people with disabilities in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to support and uplift them? [32:35]
7. Reflect on the idea that the true miracle lies in the transformation of communities. How can you contribute to creating a community that is inclusive, just, and affirming of all people? [31:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude and Lament for Creation
Description:
We begin our devotional journey by acknowledging the land and the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for it. This act of gratitude serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to make right with all our relations and to care for God's creation. Reflecting on the ways we have harmed the earth, we are called to seek repentance and transformation. This is not just an environmental concern but a spiritual one, urging us to recognize the sacredness of the land and our duty to protect it.
In our daily lives, we often overlook the impact of our actions on the environment. By starting with gratitude and lament, we open our hearts to the possibility of change and commit to being better stewards of God's creation. This reflection invites us to consider how we can contribute to the healing of the earth and the restoration of our relationship with it. [14:07]
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV):
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."
Reflection:
Think about one way you can reduce your environmental footprint this week. How can you make a small but meaningful change to care for God's creation today?
Day 2: Reinterpreting Disability in Scripture
Description:
The story of Jesus healing the deaf man in Mark 7 is often seen as a testament to divine power. However, it is crucial to consider how such narratives have historically shaped our understanding of disability. Rather than viewing disability as something needing a cure, we should see these stories as calls to transform our communities towards greater inclusion and justice. This perspective shifts the focus from individual healing to communal transformation.
By reinterpreting these scriptures, we challenge the notion that disabled bodies are less than whole. Instead, we recognize the inherent value and dignity of every person, regardless of their physical or mental abilities. This approach encourages us to build communities that are inclusive and affirming, where everyone is valued and celebrated for who they are. [19:49]
Isaiah 35:5-6 (ESV):
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert."
Reflection:
Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced exclusion due to disability. How can you contribute to creating a more inclusive environment in your community or church?
Day 3: Disability as Part of God's Good Design
Description:
Disability should not be seen as a sign of moral imperfection or a need for divine retribution. Instead, it is part of God's good design. We are all God's children, and to suggest that disabled bodies are less sanctified is to suppress the image of God in them. This perspective calls us to celebrate and include all bodies in our communities, recognizing that each person reflects God's diverse creation.
By embracing this view, we move away from discriminatory practices and mindsets that marginalize individuals with disabilities. We are called to see the beauty and worth in every person, understanding that diversity is a reflection of God's creativity and love. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, where everyone is valued for who they are. [25:01]
1 Corinthians 12:22-23 (ESV):
"On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty."
Reflection:
Reflect on how you view disability. How can you change your perspective to see it as part of God's good design and celebrate the diversity it brings to your community?
Day 4: Jesus as a Disabled Body
Description:
The image of Jesus as a resurrected body with visible wounds challenges our notions of perfection. It calls us to embrace vulnerability and interdependence as essential aspects of our humanity. This image invites us to reshape our communities to welcome and celebrate all bodies, recognizing the divine in each one. By seeing Jesus in this way, we are reminded that our own wounds and imperfections are part of our spiritual journey.
This perspective encourages us to create spaces where vulnerability is not seen as weakness but as a source of strength and connection. It calls us to support one another, recognizing that we are all interdependent and that our collective well-being is tied to how we treat the most vulnerable among us. [33:54]
John 20:27 (ESV):
"Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.'"
Reflection:
Consider how you can embrace vulnerability in your own life. How can you create a space where others feel safe to share their own wounds and imperfections?
Day 5: Transforming Communities
Description:
The true miracle in the healing stories of the Bible lies not in the curing of disabilities but in the transformation of communities. We are called to create communities that are inclusive, just, and affirming of all people. This transformation requires us to challenge discriminatory practices and mindsets and to work towards a society that celebrates diversity. By doing so, we reflect the kingdom of God on earth.
Transforming communities involves more than just changing attitudes; it requires action and advocacy. We must be willing to stand up against injustice and work towards creating environments where everyone is valued and included. This commitment to transformation is a reflection of our faith and our desire to live out the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. [31:49]
Micah 6:8 (ESV):
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection:
Think about one specific action you can take this week to promote inclusion and justice in your community. How can you be an advocate for those who are marginalized or discriminated against?
Quotes
1. "Come, every beloved body to worship. Gather, every beloved body. Bring your joys and your strengths and your hopes. Bring your wounds and scars and vulnerabilities. Bring what holds us in common. Bring what makes us gloriously different. Bring your full self. For only in diversity are we whole." [14:07] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "People with disabilities are not a punchline. A punchline. Used to mock the so-called most powerful nation in the world for its weakness, infirmity, incapacity, and by the way, to consign persons with disabilities to a class of less than." [21:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I've always believed that we are all God's children. I've always believed that disability is part of God's good design. Or from Amy Kenny, To suggest that I am anything less than sanctified and redeemed is to suppress the image of God in my disabled body and to limit how God is already at work through my life. My body is not a prayer request." [25:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And why is that such a spectacular thing? Because disabled bodies, in these texts referred to as the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, these bodies are, as Nancy Eisland puts it, considered flawed, dangerous, dependent. In the biblical worldview, disabled bodies need cure." [26:21] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A particular interpretation of these texts has shaped both religious and cultural understandings of disability for centuries. Understandings that have conflated sin with disability, described disability as a sign of moral imperfection or even a need for divine retribution. And today, even if the sin-disability connection isn't made anymore, the idea that disabled means less than whole continues, as do understandings of disability as necessarily meaning suffering." [27:31] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Could the curing references invite us to see and seek the transformation of a society that marginalizes people with disabilities to one that would enhance, support, enable, celebrate all peoples, a justice that might truly bring joy? Isaiah reminds us that that broad, sweeping transformation is possible, hopefully probable, and that God is about that yearning. God conspires and helps us turn that hope into change." [30:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "One of the things I like about the Mark story is that the man has allies. He's not alone, but has advocates who seek transformation with him. Perhaps in this coming together, a marginalized person with allies or accomplices, Jesus sees the seed of what a healed community could be and blesses it. The miracle, then, is the movement towards equity, not necessarily by curing the disability, but by transforming the community into one of exclusion becomes one of full inclusion. Allying across difference is a glimpse of the divine. Transformation is the action of the divine." [32:35] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God becomes flesh, suffers, and dies, and is raised. But in our stories, he is not raised to a perfected body, but a body with a wound in his side. A body that still bears the marks on its hands and feet. In Luke, Jesus says to his friends, this is me. Look at my hands and feet. Touch me and see that it is myself. Jesus, in truth, God in flesh, the resurrected one, inhabits not a fixed up body, but a so-called disfigured one. That's the God who births a new humanity." [33:54] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "It's a rare life, my friends, that's not touched by disability, part of God's great diversity. As my own hearing issues worsen, I'm aware that my perspective changes, but my essence does not. Our bodies evolve. All humanness is, is or should be, about vulnerability and interdependence. We're called as church to be the body of Christ, diverse, connected, broken and beautiful, dreaming and acting towards transformation." [35:57] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "May you be blessed by the creator who loved this world into being, by the Christ wounded, yet resurrected, and by the spirit who is restless until justice comes. May you be blessed, and may you seek to be a blessing every day, today, every day. Amen." [58:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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