Seeing and knowing – January 10, 2024

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
Gen. 4:1-16; Heb. 2:11-18; John 1:29-42

On Christmas morning, one of the presents from my husband Sam was a book called How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. Sam knew that the book’s premise would resonate with me. He was right.

While David Brooks is more widely known for his political and social commentaries in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and PBS News Hour, this work is deeply personal and insightful in lovely ways…at least in the 53 pages I have read so far. He writes about his quest for enhancing social skills in an age when culture is growing more automated in interactions. He posits that at the heart of the ways we treat one another is “the ability to understand what another person is going through”. To be healthy in relationship, we “see someone else deeply and make them feel seen – to accurately know another person, to let them feel valued, heard, and understood.” Brooks goes through behaviors and mindsets that keep us from seeing others and then lays out ways we can do this. Being seen and known is essential to life, much like oxygen, water, and nutrients that sustain our somatic natures.

Being seen and known is not easy. It takes deep honesty. And perhaps, like in dove hunting, it is helpful to have a trained companion who can flush out what it is you are trying to find. Spiritual practices and Holy Scripture can be avenues to explore when digging for nuggets of honesty, redemption, and hope in God’s love. (After all, this is to be a reflection on scripture, rather than a book review.)

In the gospel appointed from John in today’s daily office reading, we hear a great story of Jesus. John the Baptist was spending time with his disciples and Jesus walked by. John said, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” John deeply saw and named the truth of Jesus' identity. The disciples left John and starting following Jesus. It’s not clear how long they trailed him before Jesus turned around and acknowledged them. He said, “What are you looking for?” The two – perhaps star-struck – individuals blurted out, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus invited them to come and see; they spent the day together. Andrew was one of the disciples, and he went to get his brother Simon to meet the Messiah. Upon meeting, Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas.” (a.k.a. Peter)

Jesus saw John deeply. He saw Andrew deeply. He saw Simon Peter deeply. Jesus was training the disciples to see others deeply, too.

I pray this day that God gives each of us the courage we need to go on this perilous journey of faith and vulnerability, to see and be seen. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in, filling our lungs with the inspiration that we cannot put in there ourselves. So, be courageous to know yourself. Be bold as you pray into spaces of the unknown. Be loving as you see others. Be wise to lean upon the expertise and guidance of others. May the light of Christ shine in your eyes, and may you see that light in the countenance of each person you meet.

-- Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

Listen for where God is strengthening you to see and live more deeply. Pay attention to those who are hard to engage. In prayer lift up those relationships of discomfort. Ask for guidance and understanding to see these as God sees them.