The leather clad bikers made a tremendous noise as they roared through the streets on a quiet sunny morning. Stopping other traffic, the convoy drew the eyes of onlookers, some no doubt disapprovingly. A final cacophony sounded as one of their own was lifted out of the silver hearse they had escorted.
Coming from a very hard upbringing and a life touched by the good and not so good in society, Chris’ own life touched others. Coping with his own health issues and learning differences, Chris was supported by many and enriched many more.
Like Jesus, Chris lived among the ‘outcasts’ of society while, some might argue, being one himself.
Others knew him better than I but all spoke of his generous spirit and vibrant, strong faith. A lay (Third Order) Franciscan he ministered to many through his drawings (including the one shown here) and as a formally licensed Evangelist to People with Learning Needs.
This post is published on Disability Awareness Sunday, the theme for which is ‘made in God’s image’.
I have written elsewhere about disability and health issues being a ‘golden thread‘ that has run through my own life, those of the people I love most and those served through my employment career.
Like Chris, I imagine, such encounters and experiences have proven to be a fulfilling, rewarding, humbling and costly privilege. Among the pain witnessed, there is progress to be watched. Each person being made in God’s image.
You might like to think of the people you know. The ones who live with disability, physical health conditions, learning differences or mental illness. What is your image of them? (Be honest, think about the prejudices too…)
With those people in mind and each one being made in God’s image, what might be your image of God?
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