Blind But Now See

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone… It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shiny day!”—Johnny Nash.  What a great song!  As I thought about this week’s ATC article and this Sunday’s gospel that tune popped into my head.  And thank God for the internet, because I didn’t know who sang it, but sure enough, type in a few lyrics and there it is.  And given the weather lately, it’s nice that the rain is gone (for now).  I don’t know about you, but that stretch of cold weather and clouds was starting to get to me.

            The Gospel this Sunday is from John 9.  It’s a long story where Jesus heals a man who had been born blind.  After he receives his sight, Jesus goes away and the man gets into debates with the Pharisees about Jesus and his power to heal.  Themes of “seeing” and “not seeing” run throughout the text.  Parts of it seem complicated but the fact is we use “seeing” as a metaphor all the time.  Have you ever had something happen where you “suddenly see” the truth of a matter for what it is?  Whether good or bad?  We don’t often see ourselves accurately—or others for that matter.  That means we need a little humility and realize we can be “blind,” and therefore, shouldn’t judge so quickly.  It also means that God “sees” the good and the beautiful in us and others when we can’t see it ourselves.  That’s a wonderful thing!  That’s grace! 

            Jesus restores “sight” and does so in unexpected ways.  The Pharisees refused to believe what they were “seeing” because they were “blinded” by their own prejudices.  Jesus didn’t “fit” what they expected the Messiah to “look like.”  The good news is that Jesus is still opening the eyes of us who’ve been “blind” since birth—that’s grace!—so we can see ourselves, others, and HIM clearly, in the light of his merciful, refreshing, love.

Peace,

Pr. Christian