In our shared Lenten journey, this weekend we turn to the account of the man born blind in John’s Gospel. We are well over halfway through the 40 days of Lent. Palm Sunday is two weeks away, and Easter Sunday is in three weeks. The common elements of home that ground us this Lent are all around us. God is at work in, with, and under your life and mine. As we pause to witness Jesus healing the man born blind, there are possibilities to ponder as we reflect on sight and seeing, vision, and awareness.
Physical sight is a gift, a common blessing that we take for granted. Many of you know the complex challenges that come with the loss of physical sight. Cataracts, detached retinas, and traumatic loss of sight change lives. We live in a visual culture, and impaired physical sight is a significant obstacle. I admire the tenacity and adaptability of all who live with sight impairment.
Spiritual sight is a gift, a common blessing that we also take for granted. What does it mean to see and not see? What are the challenges when we lack spiritual vision and the deeper awareness of God at work in, with, and under our lives and world? In our hyper-visual culture, we may wonder how to move beyond all the superficial images that flash before our physical sight and see the deeper invitations and awareness.
Jesus grants the man born blind his physical sight. He then embarks on a journey into deeper spiritual sight. It is not an easy path. Thankfully, Jesus is present for the man, bestowing physical sight and illuminating a deeper spiritual sight. As the Gospel lesson closes, the man witnesses from the depth of awareness when he responds to Jesus: “Lord, I believe.”
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Peter