The Hands of Jesus...

Father Damien

Many people don't know about the little island of Hawaii called Molokaʻi. This is the 5th largest Hawaiian island, but tiny, remote, and free of the tourism storm that exists on the other islands. This little island became a home to many who suffered from leprosy. Although not by choice, many people were isolated here to suffer alone. They suffered from a disease called leprosy (Hansen's Disease). Little was known in the early 19th century about the disease and how to stop the spread. People who had the disease were shunned. From the mid-1860s to well into the 20th Century, thousands of people were exiled to this tiny Hawaiian island. At the peak of the colony's existence, 1200 men, women, and children were on an island that was only 38 miles long and 10 miles at the widest point. What used to house lepers is now a National Park.

The Bible refers to the disease in several passages. Leviticus 13 and 14 talks about the "skin disease" and gives instructions for cleansing. The disease is referred to in Job 18:13 with these words "It eats away parts of his skin; death’s firstborn devours his limbs."

Born Joseph de Veuster in Tremeloo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840, Father Damien was a young Catholic Priest. Father Damien went to the exiled island despite an understanding that the disease could be deadly. Although not contagious, this disease was easily spread through poor hygiene and prolonged contact. In the National Park Service website, Charles Warren Stoddard wrote about Father Damien. Stoddard, after he visited Kalawao in 1884, wrote "His cassock was worn and faded, his hair tumbled like a schoolboy’s, his hands stained and hardened by toil; but the glow of health was in his face, the buoyancy of youth in his manner; while his ringing laugh, his ready sympathy, and his inspiring magnetism told of one who in any sphere might do a noble work, and who in that which he has chosen is doing the noblest of all works. This was Father Damien."

Father Damien wanted to serve as the hands of Jesus. He worked with, dipped out of the poi bowl with, and contracted the disease with his people. He died serving as Jesus' hands at the age of 49. Father Damien did something many were afraid to do, he touched people with leprosy. He became the hands of Jesus. There were other leprosy colonies throughout the world. There were other people who were banished to these colonies. There were others besides Father Damien who ministered. There were other hands of Jesus.

Mark 1:40-42 recounts Jesus ministering to the leper. "A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed." Jesus touched the man with leprosy. Father Damien used his ministry to touch those with leprosy. He became the hands of Jesus to touch those who needed ministering to and cared for.

I often wonder if we are willing to go to the depths that Jesus went to minister to others. Are we willing to be the hands of Jesus if it means putting ourselves at risk like Father Damien? Disciples of Jesus were willing to be put to death to serve and spread the gospel, yet, many of us are not willing to give up our comfort to go out and serve. Many of us can't even give up our time.

As a young person, I wanted to be a missionary. I spent a summer in New Mexico with missionaries. I went to Mexico with them and visited areas in Juarez. This was the only time during that visit that I had any fear for safety. In America, we were free to serve and worship until we went into Mexico. Then we had to maintain distance, ask for permission, and seek guidance and safety when the leaders gave us direction. Asia and Iran are said to be the fastest-growing countries in the world for Christianity. Yet, these countries are predominantly Muslim and other religions. They are also countries where Christians are the most vulnerable to persecution. Some are willing to serve even if it means their death. Right now, we don't face persecution in this country. Will we? Will there come a time when we feel persecution for serving and being the hands of Jesus in America? I still want to be like Jesus. I still want to be a Father Damien. I want to be the hands of Jesus.