Special people in Church
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 08:07 | Written by V. Rev. John Shandra | 
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Our society suffers from a lack of compassion, respect, love and human relationships. Surprising is that almost all see it or feel it, but, in fact, most expect fixes for this situation primarily from others. Some do not like the secular authorities, others do not like their Bishop or Priest, and third ones are “heavily burdened” by religious rules.... Of course, there are many true Christians who truly serve God and people "for Christ's sake”. Unfortunately, they often considered to be different or "unlike us". The Church has also the special people - people with disabilities - who can both serve God, but sincerely and with all your heart, not complaining at his position.
Down syndrome disease is a difficult one. However, for many of the faithful of the Church, even such disease is not an obstacle for fulfilling some parish duties. There are people with the disease, who carry different spiritual obedience in Orthodox churches and monasteries: from taking care of candle stands near the icons to the altar servers, from assistants in summer camps to active contributors in Sunday schools. Their sincere and not stained by flattery smile reveals their loving hearts and makes us - relatively healthy people – more sincere and thankful. They "blossom" at the earliest opportunity to serve God and people.
It's no secret that our "healthy" society is sometimes biased with regards to the people with disabilities and does not make everything possible to enable such people to be particularly useful. Sometimes one can hear the mockery or even disparaging words addressed to the people with disabilities. This is already a moral and spiritual deficiency of our society, which the merciful Lord reveals through the same special people – people with physical and mental disabilities.
The main role of handicapped people in the society generally and in church parishes particularly is that through them God teaches us to be merciful and grateful for His blessings, shows to us our imperfection and sinful weaknesses, and through this saves us all.
The main role of our conditionally «healthy» society and particularly our parishes is to give to the people with disabilities every opportunity to realize their potential in all possible directions and show mercy to all without exception. An expression of love to others will open the door of our hearts through which the love of others will enter us.
