19 Mar SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023
The Lord does not see as mortals do. Mortals judge on outward appearance. Mortals use minimal input to draw linear conclusions, form opinions, and surmise that those who either rise to greatness or suffer hardship somehow manage to earn or deserve their fate.
These mortal ways of seeing occur everyday. Regardless of where people are – at work or school, on the road, out in public, laid up in a hospital, shopping, eating at a restaurant, pumping gas, or walking to the mailbox – mortal ways of seeing lead to judgments made, conclusions drawn, opinions formed, and credit or discredit given to others based on nothing more than what our mortal eyes see.
That the Lord does not see as mortals do is evidenced by the stories of David’s anointing and
the blind man’s healing. We mortals are represented by every biblical character. We are Samuel and the disciples making assumptions. We are like David’s brothers who when they know they’re being watched, aim to look appealing and like they know what they’re doing.
We are questioning Pharisees who tend to doubt everyone but themselves, who grow increasingly cynical about people’s motives, always want details and seek control. We are parents of the man born blind who possess deep seated fears surrounding rejection, afraid to say what we know or think.
The Lord does not see as we mortals do. We see through our own perspective. It’s what we do. In circumstances where people exceed or disappoint our expectations, we offer explanations that make sense to our way of seeing. We think we know or can figure things out. Without discerning God’s will, oftentimes we make choices based on what we see.
It’s natural for us to doubt and be suspicious. Those feelings almost always precede anyone’s ability to believe. We are mortal and human. Only when confronted by undeniable truth or threatened by punishment will we admit to evidence before us like the man given sight. He, along with his parents, acted just like we do when flashing red lights appear behind us and 
mean that we must stop driving and pull over.
At first we play dumb. We’re hesitant to say anything, offer an explanation or volunteer information because part of us is unsure exactly why we are in trouble. Without denying or admitting a crime, perhaps whatever got the authority’s attention may be overlooked. Wishful thinking makes us hope we’ll be found innocent or at least guilty of some lesser offense than the one we fear most.
Anyone facing charges will tell you that giving details puts one at personal risk. This theory is confirmed each week at the youth center. Every time a closed door is opened by an adult who sticks their head out and asks,“What’s going on here,” the reply is “Nothing,” or a minimal answer.
Very much like the man born blind says to his inquisitors. “I don’t know,” is the response. Asking, “What do you mean you don’t know,” doesn’t gain more information. It only leads to the reply, “All I know is, a moment ago, I couldn’t see and now I can.”
The natural leaning most of us have when asked to give an account of what happened is to try and guess why people are asking first. As Judge Judy frequently points out, “Don’t try to figure out where my line of questioning is going rather than answer my questions directly.” Neither she nor God likes that much.
Often, defendants try out a short version of the story, leaving out pertinent details. When further cross-examined, they grow afraid, they realize like the man born blind and his parents that the next best defense is to defer or deflect questions asked. Those trained by the military have these same ideas drilled into them. Don’t provide ammunition. Only state the obvious. If you have to, only answer what’s asked. Provide a bare minimum of intelligence.
How does Jesus choose to train his enlistees? Let’s begin with what he demonstrates to his disciples. He notices that they have pointed out a person in need who’s suffering because of circumstance or at the hands of society. He doesn’t elaborate on theories about their misery, he does something. He advocates for the needy and leads everyone involved to new ways of seeing and conversion.
Jesus defends the case of those being falsely judged. This is possible only because he knows the truth and what’s really happened. Unless we are Jesus, we cannot presume to know the cause of suffering, the intent of fate, or God’s divine will.
Last week, Jesus said, “My food is to do the work of him who sent me.” This week, he said, “We must work the work of him who has sent me into the world before the time comes when no one can work.” There’s urgency to doing what we can now. Let’s see what action Jesus takes.
His solution to the man’s problem takes the opposite course of every organization, institution, or government operation. The course his solution takes does not involve days of deliberation, months of formulation, or years of debate. His solution does not require committees to hammer out details, premix dirt with saliva, then store it for future use. Jesus literally makes use of what’s on hand: his spit, the ground beneath his feet, and his own hands to make mud then apply it.
Notice that the effect of his action was not immediate. The solution was incomplete without responsive action on the part of the recipient. Taking responsibility for taking the next step is something current government programs and charities fail to ask from recipients these days.
In Jesus’ time, the receiver was sent with instructions given. It was necessary for the receiver to go and do so that the help given could take effect and change them for good. The solution was meant to create a lasting noticeable overall difference, not just help them survive in their previous condition one more day, thirty days, a few months or a year. The solution, like salvation, is life altering, involves a new way of seeing and conversion.
The difference in the recipient was so great, the change was noticed by both neighbors and authorities. The difference made neighbors and authorities wonder what happened and seek explanation. It caused them to ask questions that led them to discovering the Messiah for themselves. Isn’t that the point… to bring about realization when people can’t help but notice change, can’t help but acknowledge lifesaving benefits, then wonder who it was that ultimately helped, or healed the one who couldn’t help themself?
Confirmation students have learned the purpose of God calling people to live a different way: so the world keeps asking questions like these: “How is it that someone can change overnight; how is it that a person can be different today than yesterday; how is it possible to heal or be healed when that’s not how things usually work?
Mortal desire to obtain answers, satisfy curiosity, or get to the bottom of things either works in our favor, toward the devil’s delight, or unto God’s glory. The question of the day is how will our church use the drive and energy it has to benefit others?
The Pharisees model what not to do: It is not for us to control people’s lives by threatening to exclude them from belonging. It is not for us to cross-examine those who encounter Jesus personally. It is not for us to judge who’s a sinner, who’s following the rules, or who’s been sent by God.
In reality, we are not Pharisees, but in the place of the person born blind. We can join in his testimony, admitting that prior to now we couldn’t see as we can now because of Jesus. We can confess to something true about ourselves that no one else knows.
By focusing on ourselves and our own responsibilities first, we will naturally turn and follow the Messiah.
We can vow to simply describe what Jesus has done for us and stop trying to name who’s right, wrong, or doing God’s will. By focusing on ourselves and our own responsibilities first, we will naturally turn and follow the Messiah.
One last question, “Where are you in today’s story… still questioning because of doubt, at a point of frustration, or at the place at the end, where you meet Jesus again and finally realize what matters?
Some overarching principles of today’s gospel lesson are: Listen first, then speak up. Advocate, but only say what you know to be true. Don’t let others reinterpret what you’ve experienced firsthand. And know that Jesus is ready for any encounter, debate, or argument.
The good news of the story is this: Jesus is always available and willing to advocate. Jesus is always available and willing to explain, heal and deliver what a person needs. He’s always wishing for us to be totally honest in his presence and to not focus so much on what others say or do.
One last point, I reject the idea that God doesn’t listen to sinners. It’s a major point on which I disagree with Charles Stanley, because if God only listens to those who worship and obey, then no sinner’s prayer would ever be answered including ones that ask for forgiveness and rescue from sin.
Pharisees hate the idea of being taught by people for whom they hold no regard or respect. They were exactly as we are today. But never fear, through God’s word and in other ways, Jesus is still around making personal appearances, still teaching directly.
Perhaps then, as now, authorities didn’t ask the right questions, much less give the right answers. Perhaps then, as now, it was possible for ordinary people to know the truth and have access to Jesus. Perhaps today, you personally are being afforded an opportunity to encounter Jesus in a way you never have before because up till now, you were blind to it. Let us pray.
Lord, we confess to failing to see as you do, looking on the heart and providing for all concerned. Teach us to connect with persons in need, to recognize suffering without questioning its worth. Help us see you in the least likely children, knowing that you always choose who and what others fail to recognize due to limited and biased vision. May we assist your goal of revealing each person’s full potential and divine capacity, advocating, and following your way of seeing that leads to conversion. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.