"Sanctuary" Elizabeth Clark
AQS QuiltWeek 2025, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Personal Photo
Scene from “The Pitt” - HBO/Max
The Shema
(A:vi, S: v) “Sh’ma, Yisra’el! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad
[Hear, Isra’el! Adonai our God, Adonai is one]
Deuteronomy 6:4 (CJB)
Looking for the intersection of the sacred and science is a challenge to the silos of our culture. We may find it when we confront our reality as documented in post pandemic fictional series, “The Pitt”, where we see the struggles of caring and learning effective responses to suffering in our world.
We also may find it in ancient wisdom of Saint Thomas Aquinas as applied to the practice of mental health care in the recent book, “Wayfaring” by Warren Kinghorn. In his book we find both a critique of the underlying assumptions of the practice of psychiatry and calls for a wider understanding of mental health care.
For me, obstetric care, “accompaniment” and “standing with” are where this expansion is the path to healing. This “abiding” is found in the practice of hospice care and midwifery. It is in this journeying together that we find healing.
Thanks to God, for breaking the silos of our lives as we journey together and find sanctuaries in all sorts of holy spaces.
Marvin
n.b. If you watch “The Pitt” be sure to watch it with someone! It is intense.
References
Reklis, K. Looking for healing in “the pitt”
https://www.christiancentury.org/screen-time/looking-healing-pitt
Zaltzman, L. This Hebrew Prayer in Max’s ‘The Pitt’ Was One of the Most Moving Jewish TV Moments I’ve Ever Seen
Kinghorn, W. (2024). Wayfaring. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Hage, M. L. (2011). Healing Agent Education.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2011/11/healing-agent-education.html
Hage, M. (2013). A Theology of Medicine.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-theology-of-medicine.html
