Question: Dear Father Andrew, your blessing. I am a
mother of two. My younger son is 7 and he is autistic. I have a husband but we
are not married in church. I go to church with the kids often and have them
partake of the Holy Eucharist, although it’s difficult for the younger son.
Father, how does the Church view autism? Why
are these kids even born? Man is made in the image and likeness of God, isn’t
he? Essentially, what a human being must do here on earth is to get to know God
and get closer to him. My child does not say anything and does not understand
anything. Please tell us what to do. Olga.
Answer By Archpriest Andrew Lemeshonok: You have
to carry your cross. Your child has an immortal soul. In spite of the fact that
he cannot interact with you right now, his soul is alive, and it’s all part of
God’s plan. We cannot intervene into God’s plan. We can only accept it or not.
Praise be
to God that you didn’t deny your child, that you look after him, and he lives
with you. I think that this child will some day become the spiritual centre of
your life. Of course, it’s not easy. It is painful and difficult. However, life
is like that — it isn’t easy because it is poisoned by sin.
Why is
this child born this way? Why God let this illness happen? It was due to our
sins or to teach us a lesson of humility and repentance. It’s all in God’s
hands.
It is
great that you go to church and that your children partake of the Sacraments. I
believe that after a while you will be able to notice that your son loves and
understands you. Every Easter, we give communion to bedridden children who stay
in the Boarding Home for Children with Special Needs. They are old enough but
their bodies remain short. When I give the Blood of Christ to those children
(because they cannot digest the Body of Christ), I feel that I’m in Heaven
already. They are quiet and holy sufferers…
Just keep
carrying your cross. God will comfort you, trust me!
August 31, 2018
St.
Elisabeth Convent
CONVERSATION