Lent

March 21, 2020

Scripture Reading: John 9:1-41

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. –John 9:1-7

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. –2 Corinthians 12:7-9

God gives each of God’s children gifts and talents, all of which we need to hone and use to God’s glory. For some those gifts are observable almost at birth for others it may take some time and the guidance of good teachers and mentors to identify and engage. We each also have challenges with which we must deal. I am not sure exactly what Jesus means by his statement in the first scripture above, he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. I think it falls in line with the idea that it rains on the just and the unjust*.  How we respond to adversity can draw us closer to God.

Perhaps that is also what Paul is trying to say about his thorn in the flesh. Another observation I have made over the years is that people who face few difficulties in their personal life view the world differently than those who must deal with complications in everything they do. Yes, some with disabilities or other limitations become bitter and turn inward while others work with whatever challenges they have toward becoming fully the persons God created them to be. Often these people develop a greater sense of empathy than those who have faced fewer obstacles.

Gaining sight when we are blind to the injustices in the world is a humbling experience. Hopefully it is an experience that thrust us with our whole being into doing God’s justice in all aspects of our lives.

Prayer: God of all who saw that all creation is good, grant us the ability to see the good in everyone and to work together to assure that all can fulfill their calling. Amen.

*Matthew 5:45

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.