The ten-square-mile Makanalua Peninsula juts into
the Pacific below the world's highest sea cliffs. An internet site about the island
says, “It's been blessed by nature's grandeur and cursed by humanity's
ignorance and fear.” To this day, it remains home to forty elderly patients sent
there many years ago because they contracted Hansen’s disease, the proper term
for leprosy. At least one humble priest learned contentment there as he served
those less fortunate.
This
week, we look at rule number fourteen from Jeremy Taylor’s (1613-1667) nineteen
ways to live humbly. He encouraged all to rejoice when others rise to higher positions
or achievements: “Be
content that he should be employed, and thou laid by as unprofitable; his
sentence approved, thine rejected; he be preferred, and thou fixed in a low
employment.” Key words in this rule about humility are “be content.” The longer
I live, the more I realize that life goes downhill and uphill again. This
pattern repeats throughout life, challenging us to remain contented even if
others receive seemingly better assignments from God or man.
If we
can focus on helping others instead of our misfortunes, it’s easier to be
content. I recommend renting or buying the movie “Molokai: the Story of Father
Damien” (available on Amazon) or reading the book.
In 1865, leprosy plagued those living in
Honolulu, and officials shipped the ill to the desolate Makanalua Peninsula. There,
they dwelt in makeshift shelters and caves, living with the bare necessities of
life. Seven years later, Father Damien volunteered to go and help knowing that
he might contract the disease. Instructed not to touch the diseased, he purposefully
touched them as he fed and cared for them.
For
fifteen years, he labored almost single handedly to alleviate suffering. He
pled for supplies and extra help, but few had the heart to face the constant
sorrows and weary work. King
Kamehameha V brought into law the “Act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy.” About
8,000, between the years of 1865 and 1969, went to live as exiles on Molokai. Today,
about forty aging people, who have the disease (no longer contagious, but some
disfigured), have chosen to remain on the island, although they are isolated
from most of the world.
Hansen’s disease
is the most misunderstood disease in the world. Myths and ignorance about the
disease were rampant in the mid-to-late 1800s when Father Damien volunteered to
help. Today, medical science knows that about 95 per cent of the population cannot
contract the disease. With proper diagnosis and treatment, it is no longer debilitating.
The diseased person remains noninfectious after only a couple of doses of
medicine and may remain with family even though treatments last for several
years.
The United States
documented only 213 new cases in 2009. The social stigma still exists in most
of the world and may be more difficult to deal with than the physical illness.
What if the clock turned
back to the year of 1876, and a call for volunteers went out to serve the
colony of ill. If we had no physical obstacles, would we have the inclination
to serve others, supposing that we could contract the disease?
Jesus gave an upside-down message to
those who sought greatness in God’s kingdom. They were to serve. He taught his
disciples that they were to approach any with this question on their minds, “How
may I serve this person?” We can consistently seek the higher good of others,
even though we live within a culture of self-indulgence. Be inspired by Father
Damien’s story, who allowed others to ascend to hierarchy as he became lowly in
spirit and content to dwell among the lonely and hurting.
Hunger for
Humility (week 40): “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your
servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
Cathy Messecar welcomes
comments at www.cathymessecar.com
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