The Power of the Eyes – April 12, 2023

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 97, 99; PM Psalm 115; Micah 7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10; John 15:1-11

But as for me, I will look to the Lord,
   I will wait for the God of my salvation;
   my God will hear me.  (Micah 7:7)

When I think about the Old Testament book of Micah, I think of the verse, “[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8)

The minor prophet Micah prophesies during a time when there is much change in the landscape of Israel. The northern kingdom (Samaria) falls in the eighth century BCE; emigrants move southward into Jerusalem, causing change and tension; and, the external forces of Assyria flexing its assumptive muscles of power generate fear and uncertainty. The guidance and encouragement and honesty poured out in these seven brief chapters speak to a community’s struggle with trusting God during tumultuous times, when hope is uncertain and kindness is sparse.

The portion of Micah appointed for today, this Wednesday in the first week of the Easter season, puts a tidy bow at the end of the book. We begin with verse 7, that statement of faithfulness that tethers the people of Israel to their purpose: “But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” The prophet reminds the Israelites to look around and be ready to see God. He calls them to be available for the Lord, who is bringing hope and salvation. I am reminded of the Michael W. Smith song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord,” a sung prayer asking that we see God’s glory, power, and love – and know God’s love in our words, hearts, and lives. The contemporary Christian song proclaims God as “holy, holy, holy” – in a repeated refrain that invites all to sing along, joining the heavenly proclamation from the commission of Isaiah, in which one seraph called to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (6:3).

Christians living in this twenty-first century context are only here, living and speaking and wondering about our faith in God, because the eyes of faithful people generations before us were opened to the Lord. They beheld the risen Jesus. They saw him on the morning of the resurrection. They ate with him on the beach. They were healed by him. His disciples invited the lowly and lame to look at them…to make eye contact and have real, dignified connection. The stories of healing and growth and hope followed. And continue today.

Let us fix our eyes upon the God of our salvation, who brings hope and strength and courage into spaces that we think are beyond help. God brings light to the darkness through the gift of the risen Jesus.

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection:

Think about when you are having a conversation in person with someone meaningful to you. What levels of eye contact happen? How important is looking at someone, and being looked at?

Where do you look when you pray? Do you look down, or out a window, or up on the ceiling, or at prayer beads?

Daily Challenge:

Pray the collect (prayer) appointed for today and reflect on the word/phrase that stands out to you: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.