Sunday 02 March 2008

Background

In John's Gospel selected miracle stories are told as glimpsesof heaven - signs of the perfect wholeness that will be when thekingdom of God fully comes.

Amid all the pressure and politics involved in this story oneindisputable fact stands out and has to be stated - "I was blind -now I see". The healed man and his parents are pressed to admitthat Jesus healed even though this was forbidden on a Sabbath day(because it was considered a form of work). To admit such a healingwould imply recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. This would lead toembarrassing social ostracism and being banned from thesynagogue.

In spite of this, the man makes a simple and telling statement ofwhat is, to him, undeniable fact. His gratitude and courageunderline the event. As he admits his cure he is led to see anddeclare Jesus' identity. His position as a new disciple invitingothers to be disciples comes into focus.

If we would be illuminated by the one who is the light for theworld rather than live in a fog of misinformation we too needcourage to 'see' and share. But the most telling form of sharing isthe simple statement of the way it is for us… a straightforwardsentence saying how we have been helped.

When a cataract is successfully removed hazy sight returns tobetter focus and colours are seen more brightly. People who havelived in a haze for a while remark on how they had forgotten justhow colourful the world can be! May our new perspectives becoloured by Christ.

To Ponder

What accumulated prejudicial 'mud' do we need towash away to see the brighter colours of kingdom?