More than Meets the Eye - February 14

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52; Gen. 30:1-24; 1 John 1:1-10; John 9:1-17

We do not have the whole story in Today’s Gospel.  John 9:1-17 is focused on a man who is from birth, blind.   Jesus makes mud and places it on the man’s eyes and a remarkable miracle happens.  The man receives sight.  The story then pivots, and we begin hearing about the Pharisees who have taken a special interest in the blind man.  They are curious about the source of Jesus’s power and are quite offended that Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.

What becomes apparent as the story continues on is the growing sense that while the beggar who was once blind has been healed, the Pharisees are actually becoming blind themselves.   They can’t see the true meaning behind the laws and their failure to see Jesus’s redemptive power makes them blind.  At the end of the story (v. 40), the Pharisees respond, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 

I love the story about the man who gains his eyesight.  But he probably gains a lot more than being able to distinguish shapes and colors and see what is right in front of him.  He gains the ability to see God’s goodness and healing at work in this world.  I imagine that means learning to suspend judgment, being hopeful, seeing the image of God in every human being.  These are not easy tasks, and we can spend our whole lives developing this kind of vision. 

It may be worth considering how Jesus opens our eyes too.  Faith in the one who redeems humanity, allows us to see what we couldn’t see before.  It’s a statement of believing that there is more than meets the eye.  What does your faith compel you to see that you couldn’t see otherwise? 

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection:  What does your faith compel you to see that you couldn’t see otherwise?  Do you find yourself blind around certain conversations, topics, ideas, or theology?  How can faith open your eyes?

Daily Challenge:  My hunch is most people know they have blind spots, but rarely do something to address those blind spots.  Those could be things that cause us to react easily, cast judgment, or disconnect.  Take an inventory of your blind spots.