As the father of two sons with autism, and as a man who studies scripture, I can’t help but wonder: Could Jesus and the prophets have been autistic?
As depicted in the Bible, Jesus and the prophets exhibit some autistic tendencies, including child-like innocence, occasional indifference to social norms despite potential consequences, and an affinity for numbers. One particularly strong characteristic Jesus and the Prophets share can be found in people with Asperger’s—a specific form of autism. That characteristic is, being brutally honest despite the social costs.
I don’t make this comparison to identify weaknesses in our Godly heroes, but to testify to qualities I’ve come to admire in my sons. Their unfiltered innocence and candor are behaviors Jesus himself admired in children. He told us that unless you become like a little child, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18:3). And, indeed, both of my sons are fearless truth tellers, despite society’s discomfort with that. Their faith tells them God likes that. The prophet Jeremiah found strength in that knowledge despite the societal costs it brought. This is from Sunday’s first reading from Jeremiah (Jer 20:8-13):
The word of the LORD has brought me reproach and derision all day long. I say I will not mention him, I will no longer speak in his name. But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding back, I cannot! Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. … But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion.
As for that affinity for numbers, the excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Romans that we read this Sunday (Rom 5:12-15) sounds like he gave a lot of thought to the one-to-many ratio of unfairness that people with autism face as they make their way through life. A different sense of proportion is at work—none of this one-for-one fairness the world craves. People like my sons tend to set an example for achieving lofty goals while facing long odds—just as Jesus set for himself the extraordinary goal of saving billions of lives:
For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.
Someone with autism rarely shows the kind of artifice and sophistication “normal” people lacquer all over themselves to impress others. My sons wear their true identities like their skin—on the outside, for all to see. There’s a Christ-like fearlessness in this. Jesus exposes this tendency in Sunday’s gospel reading (Mt 10:26-33) as he speaks to the 12 underdogs he chose to spread his example.
“Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
Could Jesus have been autistic? If so, he inherited his otherworldly sense of proportion from his heavenly Father—who sees great value in the most humble of life’s unnoticed details:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?” Jesus continues. “Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
When I grow up I hope to approach the worth my sons have accrued. The authenticity they exemplify is the key to God’s Kingdom.
–Tom Andel
Talking about numbers, in the Gospel story where Jesus is on the beach and some of the apostles, including Peter, are in a boat fishing. They have no luck all night. Jesus tells them to throw the net over the right side. They, then catch an abundance of fish- 153 to be exact. About that number 153, in hexadecimal, a number base used by computer programmers, is 99 hexadecimal .
Thank you for illustrating the point so beautifully, my saintly brother! Your guitar skills also show you not only have numbers in your heart, but music in your soul.
Your sons are wonderful Christians and good friends. Your family reminds of Psalm 128, of which I bet you are familiar. By the way 128 is a power of 2!
Much Love!
The Power of Two is definitely working through you, Chris–the first two persons of the Blessed Trinity have given you the inspiration of their Third Partner to share the psalm that should inspire thankfulness in all families: “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and who walk in his ways. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be blessed and prosper: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your home, Your children like young olive plants around your table.”
The power of two can also refer to two instances : when a man and woman join in Holy Matrimony and form new life. Also, when two or more are gathered in His name, God will be in their midst.
Tom, great blog. I have come to learn much from Matt and Marty over the years. Their honesty, innocence and purity are what makes them special. We can all learn from special people like them. The kingdom of heaven awaits such as these.
You are blessed to have them in your daily life. What great teachers they are.
Thomas, as you know, the best way to demonstrate character is to be caught being yourself. It was you who sent me the above picture of our guys when you spotted them in the church’s adoration chapel one night.
Matt and Marty have taught me to focus on the work that is doable in the moment without worry about weighing the odds of a particular outcome. Doing your best at what you are involved in paradoxically touches eternity as long a our actions are guided by following God’s will the best we are able. Tom, I pray that your family continues to touch many lives.
Ron, as you know from your long tenure helping students at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center find employment, success starts with a good work ethic. A work ethic is just one of many ethics we must adopt to succeed in life. You helped our sons blend the moral ethics we tried inspiring in them from birth with the work ethic all employers crave. As a result, both Matt and Marty have found ways to help their employers be successful as well. Thank you for your continuing role in their lives.