Friday, September 6, 2024

Lord, I Believe


The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains. John 9:18-41

Today we hear the continuing story of a man born blind who Jesus healed and who the religious leaders "drove out." This new way of understanding God, with healing, forgiveness and freedom was not on their agenda and they could not change. Yet the words of the man who had been healed will echo through eternity. "Lord, I believe." Sometimes when all the arguments, attitudes and theologizing get us caught up, we need to just declare our faith and the lack thereof and move on trusting God is with us. Trusting that God will provide the healing, the faith, and the companions to help us on our way.

Loving Creator, you brought us to this earth
which is filled with many peoples and cultures
we abide in a deep tapestry of beauty and confusion
and seek safety and renewal in you our Savior.

We often hang on rules and law when we are in pain
when we don't understand the other we lash out
we drive away those who could teach us about faith
and we demonize those who hear and speak differently.

In you, we find that all people are beloved children
in you, our fears are met with healing and renewal
for you are the love which formed this fragile planet
and you are the divine love that will bring us all home. Amen.



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