Can you see - John 9 - Lent 4A

Can you see?

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon John 9; Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

Opening prayer.

Happy St Patricks Day! I have a brisket and cabbage in the waiting.  If you choose to partake with various liquid spirits, be safe and responsible.

Our reading this week takes us to Jesus performing a sign: healing a blind man.  Jesus throws mud on a guy’s face, them washing in a river and then returning for examination.

This turns into another theological debate. Let us consider this in terms of what we read recently.

Remember that Jesus was tempted to be able to change stones to bread to serve himself (give into temptation) and get accolades (glory) and to change systems regardless of consequences. Jesus simply doesn’t, nor now.

These works are for God’s judgment when time to execute, on God’s time. 

Jesus makes intentional use of these gifts to teach.

In this lesson, the issue immediately suggests people think disability/otherness are implications of unworthy, outsiders, or contemptible. (John 9:2)

The question is raised whether some sin causes blindness?  This is how people see God exercising judgements. Harsh! 

Being born is not a shameful deed because being human with imperfections is the root of all humanity. We are all God’s children.

Didn’t bother to ask anything about the person, what they like to do and such. Immediately, what is wrong, and somehow, another implication is they are responsible for it.

Condescending and evil. 

Attitudes like that start unnecessary wars because some weird idea of that people are undeserving of being or unworthy of respect.

Where do we get off thinking that one is less than us because of their particulars?

We can witness the most able-bodied, physically athletic person, with good looks and intelligence still be a cocky, selfish jackass. What did his or her parents do cause their malady - what could that person have done?

In contrast, there are people with handicaps (some physical - some not so seen) who have spirit that fills a room with energy, love and compassion. 

Jesus tells us, this guy was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed through him. 

People often overlook people without realizing how much they contribute to our world, and our lives.  Remember last week how the disciples looked right over the Samaritan woman. In the first reading, Jesse looks over his own son, David - doesn’t even bring him before Samuel until asked.

My UBFM friends (we meet every Thursday) find time to help feed the homeless not to get accolades and thanks, but something much bigger than the group. 

We share “God moments” from time on the street. You just don’t know what you will encounter, but these are real, revelations and heart-felt. Someone is thankful we remembered their name;  another, we didn’t shame: one is grateful to even be acknowledged and more. We don’t do much but just show up with grace, love, respect and hospitality. What we get is almost indescribable.  

We could be like others, overlook them or find other things to do with our days, but we instead choose to see them and be with people. That, Beloved, is all the difference that one may decide to stay living or find encouragement to better themselves. 

People still don’t want to believe this is possible. In the story in John, the people don’t believe the man is healed. They don’t want to see what they literally just observed. Why deny what is right in front of you? What blinders are we wearing that prevents us from seeing the possible of God?

They cant believe that someone can change. 

My son reminded me of this in recent conversation that we can’t get so one-sided we forget people have legitimate feelings who maybe never experience what we have. By sharing stories together, we can little-by-little plant seeds to influence those feelings. He is correct.

People will have revelations, change of heart and more - given time. People are troubled all around us. Someday it will click and work out. We leave space for God to happen, and then, that day arrives… let us together celebrate.

Some may get upset that friends aren’t taking advice. People have to sometimes trip over themselves to realize lifting feet helps. We may want to give up on people we have suggested several times when they still don’t do anything. People can be quite stubborn, but revelation isn’t ours to deliver.

They don’t have to take the path I think they might need because their path is for them to find. I can offer seeds, perspective, suggestions and walk with someone to healing. Heed that or not, we have to come to God with own pace.

Thus, I can tell you all the truths from my adventures on the street. If you have it in your mind that is not possible, let alone truth, God cannot reveal to you that which you could learn. 

Yet consider, what else are you missing when we close ourselves off?

For Jesus has come into this world so that blind could see and those who see become blind. This sounds like Mark “first becoming last and the last becoming first.” What don’t you see that God is showing you?

Question for us is not to look with disfavor upon people appearing to lack capability, resources or otherwise. What part of our lives needs healing, some work? What part of the mind disables us from allowing God and personal forgiveness?

We may be able to see with eyes, but look with God’s vision. Are we seeing God’s work in our midsts? That is what I think Jesus means “if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”  We hold onto ego, debts, trespasses against us and against others and internalize that. 

What good is that doing for us? I submit that blind us from what is truly possible.

When we let go of our ego and righteousness - let the Spirit teach and guide, there is eternity of possible. There are green pastures, still waters and restoration because with our Creator, there’s goodness, mercy all our days.

Thanks Be to God!

May God grant us courage to seek peace and bring wars to an end.

Amen.