In the current issue of First Things we are pleased to have an article by Amy Julia Becker entitled “Babies Perfect and Imperfect,” a reflection on how having a child with Down syndrome has deepened Becker’s understanding of what it means to be human:
Early on, I had asked my mother whether she thought Down syndrome happened because of sin in the world. She responded gently, “The only evidence of sin I see is in how the world reacts to Penny.” I began to understand what she meant—that Penny is no more or less human than I am, no more or less born in sin, no more or less blessed, no more or less in need of redemption. When I think of Penny’s life to come only in terms of being fixed or healed, I miss the point of what it means for God to redeem and heal each and every one of us.
Now available for your listening pleasure is an interview of Mrs. Becker with First Things features editor R.R. Reno. Hear it by clicking below:
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
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If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Giovanni Del Piero, Director of the Editor’s Circle, at gdelpiero@firstthings.com or 212-627-1985.
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