God's Work Revealed

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. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ John 9:1-17

We have three daughters, all now grown, and are the delight of our hearts. They are all unique and wonderful humans, and they are sisters still. When they were young there was a good deal of arguments and squabbles. Not so much now. Then, they could quickly be jealous if one got something they didn't have. They may not have wanted it until a sister got it, but they sure wanted it then. They could tell clearly why the other sister didn't deserve it. We humans can be jealous and derogatory all too quickly. The religious leaders of the day were jealous and critical of Jesus, wanting to demean and destroy him in their anger. We are invited by Jesus to rejoice for he declared, " he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him." May we rejoice in healings, blessings and all the good gifts we have been given.

Blessed Creator, you restore our sight

you lift us up when we have fallen down

you give us food and drink in the desert

and restore the people to their communities.

We humans fight over land and resources

yet you are the source of all that is good

we are moved to rage, jealousy and criticism

you always give us your healing and love.

Let our eyes be opened today to see your works

revealed in the outcasts, the blind and frail

let us give thanks for the blessings given

and share freely of the love that binds us together. Amen.