The other day I asked a couple of our emergency department
radiological technicians if the CT SCAN machine can detect the patient’s soul in
the CT. I said it in a joking manner to
lighten the moment of a usually stressful work environment. I work at a large, downtown academic medical
center that is a level 1 trauma center.
It is very common for patients to have a CT following a car accident or
other traumatic event.
This week is Pastoral Care Week and the theme is “Pastoral
Care Together.” The theme is all about health care workers assessing and
meeting the spiritual and pastoral care needs of patients, families, and
staff. All clinicians are empowered to assess
spiritual needs of families and to call upon the chaplains and clergy to help
meet those needs. It is a shared
work. Together we meet the physical and
spiritual needs of patients.
In Genesis 1:31, we read:
“God saw everything that he had
made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was
morning, the sixth day.” This is one of
my favorite verses because the created order, and especially human beings, are
declared “Very Good.” I affirm this
important idea because we are amazing physiological and spiritual beings. It is amazing that the body works and
performs in an effective and efficient manner.
Humans can run, analyze data, create art, and learn new things every
day. Yet, that is not the whole
story. The narrative of humanity also
includes living faithfully as persons who can offer unconditional love, forgiveness,
mercy, friendship, and hospitality to strangers, family members, hospital
patients and friends. Living is more
than just a physical experience or just a spiritual experience. I propose that we continue to cherish and
tend to our bodies and our souls as one.
In our human “oneness” and integrity we truly find and become fully spiritual
and fully human and it’s an amazing way to live. You
are truly Very Good!
