Reading the Signs - August 21
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12); Job 2:1-13; Acts 9:1-9; John 6:27-40
My family lives, for the time being, near the bottom of a dead-end street. It wasn’t like that when we moved here. Traffic cutting through to other parts of Hoover would go quickly down the hill and past our house, unfettered by stop signs, speed bumps, or police radar. One day in July (they all run together), while walking across the quaint covered bridge a few houses down from us, we noted a hole about 2 feet in diameter at the edge of the road. Our nine-year-old walked over and touched her toe to the area. Dirt and sand crumbled and fell below. Looking tentatively into the hole, we saw rocks, and the creek bed far below. We stepped back and avoided further excitement.
And so, that covered bridge over the culvert and creek is now closed. Metal barriers are chained all the way across, so that even pedestrians cannot cross. The neighborhood gossip is that the bridge could collapse at any moment. As with many projects involving roadways, these repairs take time. There are survey marks on the ground, but no trucks or equipment are on site. There are some metal signs around the neighborhood to warn people that the road is closed with an arrow directing people vaguely in another direction for detours, but it is not specified that the bridge is out. Many vehicles have driven down the street, only to be surprised by the orange cones and reflective indicators ahead. Amazon delivery truck, ambulance, and a teenager on a motorcycle – each turns around, having missed the signs on their way. The detour is not clear. Confusion ensues.
Signs are helpful, if we can just understand them. In John’s gospel, we hear about Jesus talking with a crowd of people. They ask what they can do to have the ability to perform the works and signs of God. I hear in their question a nod to less than righteous motivations: how can we wield power and miracles like you, so that we can be admired and influential? Jesus replies, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” In other words, the proof of God working is transformed lives -- those who interact with Jesus believe in him as the Son of God, recognizing divinity and humanity mingled in love, sent to walk upon the earth. I know that is a lot to believe. It’s quite fantastic.
The examination continues. The people in the crowd push Jesus further, asking, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?” A few verses later, Jesus says, “I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.” The crowd just cannot see the sign, or open their souls to believe. It’s a big thing to believe. Seeing is believing…that’s a slogan we hear in culture. But in this gospel account, seeing Jesus and experiencing his miracles and teaching is not enough to win everyone over to believe who he is. It’s not enough today, either. Friends, believing is hard…even when there are signs around.
So, what are we to do when we’re a bit lost or confused in our faith in God? Let’s take a lesson from the story of Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus: let go of leveraging power and instead, seek humility. Next, we can get on our knees and pray that God will open our eyes and ears in new ways to the signs and blessings that surround us. And we can draw near to the stories of people of faith – from long ago in Holy Scriptures, and from contemporary witnesses of God’s love. We do all these things so that we may pay attention to the signs and believe, and in doing so, perhaps God will shape us more closely into the image of Christ.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
Jesus talks about being the bread of life. What about receiving the consecrated bread and wine in Eucharist deepens your belief in Jesus? What other experiences help you believe?
Daily Challenge
Ponder what signs draw you to believe more deeply in Christ. Journal for five minutes about what comes up for you. If you are missing Eucharist, consider signing up to receive communion in your own home.