Christ as LIGHT… In today’s Gospel we hear the second of the three self-descriptions of Jesus. Last week he told the woman at the well that He is the Living Water. Today He refers to himself as the Light of the World. Before we dive into that scripture, let’s cover our first reading.
In Samuel 16:1b, 6-13, We read about the choosing of David to replace Saul. What’s interesting is that Saul is still alive! He may not take too kindly to Samuel anointing anyone else, especially not his own son. The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
For Samuel, this is ‘not a great career move, but God said. What God says, IS!! We also get another taste of ‘God’s ways are above our ways’. “Samuel thought, ‘Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the LORD looks into the heart.”
After anointing David, instead of and in front of, his older brothers and Father… the rest is history.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5:8-14, continues the message that Christ put forth during His life and mission, and that is, that WE are to be light in the world, just as Jesus was the Light of the World. “Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” ***My goodness, as always, the message is so simple. Be good and righteous people, do good for our neighbor. Let your light shine all the brighter because of Jesus!
And now the Gospel: John 9:1-41, it’s a long one. The basic story that you’ve heard before is, the man born blind, folks ask whose sin caused this, his or his parents. Jesus heals him using a paste made from spit and clay and then sending the man to wash in the pool of Siloam. “Jesus answered, ‘Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva and smeared the clay on his eyes!”
When the man’s neighbors & townspeople realize that he’s the beggar born blind they couldn’t believe it and stormed him off to the Pharisees. THEN, they found & brought his parents before the Pharisees. The parents being afraid of being thrown out of the temple, washed their hands of the matter by claiming the man was an adult & could answer for himself.
Jesus had come into the world to heal the blind, both physically and spiritually. “When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. ***Jesus is asking us to be a light to the blind that all may see! This is our simple faith! We can do this! Joy-Joy-Joy, May the Love and Joy of our God Almighty be yours this week! Thanks, Mark Gates
