Disability, the Healing of Infirmity, and the Theological Virtue of Hope: A Thomistic Approach
In this essay, I consider what the theological virtue of hope offers all of us, though with particular emphasis on people with disabilities, as regards the glorification of our humanity, when the soul is reunited with the risen body. I draw chiefly from Thomas Aquinas, as I believe his insights on h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc.
2017-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Moral Theology |
| Online Access: | https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/11388-disability-the-healing-of-infirmity-and-the-theological-virtue-of-hope-a-thomistic-approach |
| Summary: | In this essay, I consider what the theological virtue of hope offers all of us, though with particular emphasis on people with disabilities, as regards the glorification of our humanity, when the soul is reunited with the risen body. I draw chiefly from Thomas Aquinas, as I believe his insights on hope have much to offer contemporary disability studies. I argue that, commensurate with the imperishable condition of the resurrected state, people with disabilities, indeed, all people, shall attain to complete bodily healing in the final resurrection. God shall bring our corruptible bodies, our disabled bodies, to full healing, in the very measure that he shall “wipe away every tear from our eyes.” At the same time, because of their participation in the beauty of the glorified wounds of Christ, the marks of disability, I argue, shall remain in the glorified risen body. Hope assures us of nothing less. |
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| ISSN: | 2166-2851 2166-2118 |