1 Samuel 16:1;6-7;10-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
You Have SEEN Him
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.” This burning condemnation stands in sharp contrast to the short dialogue with the man born blind, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” What always stuns me is that it didn’t matter what kind of miracle Jesus performed, for those who were closed-minded would remain so. Who is the one who receives the gift of faith this day but one who has lived in darkness all his life? My temptation is to assume that I am not like the Pharisee, but have I been blind to the goodness in my sisters, to the effort of a child, to the suffering of a parent? Have I been so blinded by my own needs that I have totally neglected another? ” ‘We see,’ you say, but your sin remains.” Wow! That’s a scary thought! Have I seen Jesus? Have I missed him standing in right in front of me saying, “It is he who is speaking to you now”?
“Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you light” calls to me in a special way. For me it is a summons to bring to light what is good. It’s my choice to walk in darkness or stand with Christ and against the powers that seek to destroy life.
“Who is the one who receives the gift of faith this day but one who has lived in darkness all his life?” My cousin recently expressed a desire to convert to Catholicism. She has always had faith in God and believed in God’s works, but never really had the courage either to make the step and desire Baptism. She has indeed seen the light and will soon no longer see darkness, I hope. “Have I been so blinded by my own needs that I have totally neglected another?” In the midst of my busy schedule and constant work work work, I often feel guilty for not paying more attention to the people around me that need my help and friendship. For this next week, I will have no choice but to take better care of my grandma, and sister, since my parents have left town. I am obligated to open my eyes to see their needs and attend to their needs more and cherish their presence in my life instead of taking them for granted.