2611AFC031326 – I say, can you see? ← PODCAST LINK 😀
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John 9:25b – “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (↔ Music Link)
Ephesians 5:11 – 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Psalm 23:4 –
4 Even though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
1 Samuel 16:7 c – […] the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him. When you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Thank you again for all of your well wishes and prayers. It turns out I’m in another “unhealthy” situation. On the big toe on my right foot I somehow tore the skin a little bit, and now it has an infection and brought about something called Cellulitis. Thanks to God for my great podiatrist. He put me on a couple of super antibiotics, and it’s starting to look a little better. For a moment, I was a bit concerned that I might lose that toe, or more, but now everything’s OK so there we are and thanks. Now let’s get to it.
A savvy reader might understand that what we’re going to be looking at today has to do with the word SEE. There are 6 in Hebrew that are translated as SEE come and 7 Greek words that are translated as SEE. There are over 1,000 references like that throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. The title, as you have probably figured out, is a clumsy parody about the opening words of our National Anthem, “Oh say can you see?”
Already we are past the half-way point this Season of Lent. Sunday is Laetare Sunday so named because of the introit (entrance antiphon) which in Latin begins with “Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facile omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, …” which means “Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, …” For this special Sunday, the vestments and church appointments are rose-colored (“pink”). Rose vestments are also used during Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday in Advent (see gaudete above). On this Sunday, we hear the story of “the man born blind,” or “blind from birth.”
Today I want to start with the Key Verse from the New Testament Gospel of John. We should begin with an excerpt just above the Key Verse to help provide some context. John 9:5-7 – 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. This takes place just outside the Temple. Jesus is walking with his Disciples, and they see a man who has been blind from birth. Now, everyone knew who this guy was because his station was just outside the Temple entrance and he received alms from passersby. He wore the cloak of one who is a beggar and forbidden to enter into the temple. We covered the significance of this in 2443AFC102524 – … but now I can see.
Jesus recognized this man, knowing that he was blind from birth. At that time a common belief was that imperfections were caused by sin, either the sins of the individual, or the sins ancestors – usually their parents. Jesus tells them “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Another good point to notice: sometimes, whether we recognize it or not, God works through us in ways to give him greater Glory. That can sometimes be a very surprising consequence of allowing God into our lives. I firmly believe we should always ask God to bless us in ways that help us in all that he asks of us as well as everything he allows to happen to us. (see Prayer to Seek God’s Will)
Now, I have my own theory about why Jesus made clay out of spit. He used dirt and water much in the same way our Heavenly Father used clay from the ground to make our primary Ancestor Adam. This is just a non-theological guess, but perhaps what Jesus did was give the guy some new eyeballs. (?!) To some readers that might sound silly but, it’s something I had thought about. Anyway, Jesus tells this guy to go wash in the pool of Siloam. And then the Gospel provides us with the translation saying “sent.” There are times when God sends us someplace that may not make too much sense to us, but according to his Will there’s a good reason for it. (When is there never a good reason to do God’s Will?) This man tells the Pharisees that “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” Jesus’ action was followed by instruction. The man’s compliance resulted in his deliverance from blindness and gained for him the right of entrance in the Temple to worship.
This brings us to our Key Verses from The Apostle Paul. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. If we call upon the Lord to show us His will, and He does, which would be better? To obey, or to disobey? The obvious answer is, of course, to obey which is why The Apostle Paul goes on to say, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” All of us have had experience with the situation where we say, “It was so dark I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.” We are also familiar with the adage,, “Let’s try to shine a little light on this incident,” or even, “this may shed a little light on what’s actually happening.” Bringing things into the light means establishing Truth. “And the truth will set you free.” Free from what? Well, certainly from the darkness which is what this Psalmist is talking about when saying, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.” Wherever there is light, there is no darkness. How about if we suppose that the shadow of death is the sinfulness of the world? What are the wages of sin?
“DEATH.” If sin is the darkness of the World, then Truth is the Light of the World and the Light of the World is Jesus who is Truth. When the Light of Truth was gifted to the beggar, he was able to go in and praise God who alone is Truth. When the man blind from birth obeyed the instructions of the Messiah, he was able to see the World in the Light of Truth. We all want to Live in the Light of Truth. Hmm … but how do we do that?
Matthew 7:7-8 – 7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Ask for Light. Search for Light. Diligently try to enter into the Light because of the promise in John 6:63 c, 68 c – […] Your words are spirit and life. (↔ Music Link) You have the Words of Eternal Life. There is a Key that unlocks that door about which we ask and for which we seek: our hearts. Because why?
Because the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. What does the Lord see in the heart of the one who asks for, searches for, and steps forward obediently to enter into the Light? How’s this for an answer? 1 Peter 2:9 – 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. God sees the heart of someone who is Priest, Prophet, and King – someone who is in the company of the Adelphos of Jesus.
Praise the Lord! our God is SO GOOD !!
I say now, can you see? Are we pursuing the light? A friend of mine once told me, “It’s like playing tag with Jesus. You chase him until he catches you!” It’s also like what we tell our catechumens: ”God is totally committed to Loving you with the Love that is Everlasting.” It’s all part of the Absolutely Perfect Plan of Perfect Integrity, Endless Mercy, Everlasting Love, Eternal Salvation, Immutable Justice, Irreproachable Wisdom, and Incomparable Grace. We all know about YOLO-F. Why not choose to Live out Forever in the Light of The New Heavens and the New Earth? Can I, can you, can we SEE? Indeed we can – if we Walk in the Light! (↔ Music Link)
| (↓↓↓New prayer requests in the Intercessory Prayer List↓↓↓) RF – recently diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. We are praying for wisdom for the doctors and strength for RF. JH – hospitalized in ICU with due to multiple I gastrointestinal perforations a.k.a. bowel perforations and septicemia. We are praying for Peace for JH and his family and family friends. |
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Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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