Weekly HOMILY for July 5, 2009: Handicapped One and All

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
July 5, 2009

Handicapped One and All
(Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Spaces for the Handicapped

We have all had the experience of driving into a parking lot and seeing an empty space close to the store or the entrance to the mall.

And then, as we get close to it, we see the symbol for handicapped persons painted on the pavement. So, we drive on and look for another space.

Well, imagine driving into the parking lot of Wegmann’s of the Hunt Valley Mall and seeing that the entire parking lot is almost empty and we think, “Man, I’ll be able to park wherever I want!”

But then, as you look more closely, you see the yellow symbol for the handicapped on every single solitary space. Every space is painted with that stick figure symbol of a person in a wheelchair.


All Are Handicapped

This image – a parking lot with every space designated for the handicapped – is very appropriate this morning.

Isn’t each of us handicapped in one way or another? Isn’t each of us at a loss in some particular way: physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, or intellectually?

I would suggest that we not view those who are physically handicapped as a minority. Instead, every time we see one of those especially reserved parking spaces let them remind us that we are all handicapped in some way?


Paul’s Handicap

This is what Saint Paul is getting at in this morning’s second reading.

Paul says that, “A thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan.” He does not say what this “thorn” is.

Scholars speculate that it might have been a physical disability, or a moral flaw, or rejection and persecution by others. Whatever it was, Paul was aware of some “thorn in his flesh” – some handicap or weakness.

Paul knows that he has been given special gifts and a special role to play by God, but he is also aware of this “thorn.” And from God, Paul gets the great insight that, “Power is made perfect in weakness.”

In other words, this thorn or handicap or weakness keeps him from getting, as he says, “elated” or proud. It keeps him humble and therefore compassionate toward others.


As Paul, So Us

I suggest the same thing is true for each of us. We have all been given certain gifts and we believe that we have a special relationship with God.

But each of us, myself included, has something known or unknown to others – maybe a quick temper, maybe some kind of intestinal trouble, maybe some kind of compulsive behavior or addiction, maybe an imagination that gets me in trouble, maybe feeling alone and not part of the group.

No question about it, we’ve all got some kind of thorn or handicap or weakness.

And Paul’s insight is that this thorn can temper or perfect us. It can keep us humble and alert to one another, to the thorn or handicap or weakness of others.

In other words, our humanity should make us humble and sensitive to the humanity of others. It should soften us and make us more compassionate.


Handicaps to Compassion

One spiritual writer says that the virtue of compassion is a conscious sharing in the ten thousand possible handicaps, thorns, or weaknesses of others.

Compassion means making constant allowances for others’ shortcomings. It means remembering that the majority of handicaps are not even visible to the naked eye.

On this national holiday weekend, this leads me to think of today’s immigrants. No question, we as a country need to structure immigration and we need laws for this.

But some of the attitudes toward immigrants, especially Spanish-speaking immigrants, are simply incompatible with the Gospel and with what Paul is saying today. These are people very much like us.

They have been drawn to the United States by opportunities that are here and by American business. Often they are filling jobs that our businesses can get no one else to fill.

Be that as it may, we need to be aware of ourselves – of our weakness or thorn or handicap when we think about immigrants. And as we do that, we need to support a re-thinking of attitudes and policies on immigration.


Conclusion

I conclude with this.

When Jesus talks about the final judgment, those invited into the kingdom are the compassionate. Those close to the Lord are those who have compassion for the poor, the physically sick, the imprisoned, the emotionally or mentally challenged, and on it goes.

If being one of those invited, it would be good to remember Saint Paul’s words: “In weakness power reaches perfection.” And when we see handicap parking spaces, let’s be aware of our own handicaps and allow that to challenge us to be more compassionate toward others.