Living Faith: Health Care (part 2 of 2)

 

The RMS Office of the Bishop in partnership with leaders across the synod has created a community discussion guide to engage challenging topics as people of faith. Each week we will share a personal reflection on that week's featured social statement.

A Calling to Health Care
Rev. Andrea Doeden, MD

 

I am a child of Lutheran non-clergy missionary parents who decided in the 5th grade that I was being called to be a work in the health care field as a result of my faith.  I remember the horrific famines in Africa in the 70s that were broadcast on our TVs and seeing the suffering of the people, knowing that God was suffering with them and calling people to participate in the work of loving and caring for our neighbors by helping them to restore health to their bodies, and the bodies of their families and communities.  I ended up becoming an ob/gyn physician, helping global women and children specifically, using the words of Matt 25 as my marching orders.  I have always felt that caring for another person is a gift and a way of sharing the love of God and have been grateful that our church understands its calling/mission to be an active participant in seeking health care for all as integral to its’ understanding of following Jesus and his way. 

Reading this statement during a time of a global pandemic as well as racial unrest in our country was timely.  Many of the issues that are at the forefront now are addressed in this document:  public health goals as a way to care for the neighbor ‘corporately,’ poverty and disparities in different communities affecting access as well as experience in the health care system, and resource allocation.  I often find myself frustrated by the for profit system we have (when pharmaceutical and insurance companies seek profits for just a few) so the comments addressing the need to stay diligent so profit does not become our motive was really appreciated. I also really connected with the emphasis on health care for all because it is a gift from God- healing (not always a cure) needs to be sought for all people, in all communities; and communities are not equally cared for in our country.

Jeremiah cries out in agony for God’s poor people asking why their health has not been restored.  It rightly states that there are no easy answers and that this church can disagree on exactly how (financially for example) to navigate this moral and ethical obligation but it does not give us ELCA Christians a ‘pass’ to not do this work. 

Every single human will come to a point when our bodies fail us in ways that are stunning and confusing--- we don’t understand the why or the logic of the body’s changes- and this often brings us to a spiritual crisis.  We learn in a visceral embodied way that we truly are not in charge—only God in is control.  It is therefore critical that we address the whole person:  mind, body, spirit.  So many reasons people access the health care are best addressed when we are able to engage in doing this holistic work.   And of course, treating one another with the goal of healing requires that we do this in a comprehensive, team approach. 

We, me and you, are called to love our neighbor, care for them in tangible ways and seeking the health of all is indeed a critical need now just as it has been in all times.  The just and loving thing to do is absolutely to seek the wellness of everyone God has created!