Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Suzan Hurlbut.

Most people do not see things as they are

                                         They see things as they are.

                                                    Richard Rohr

This story about Jesus healing the blind man begins with really good news.  Can you imagine being blind from birth and then being able to see?  But it quickly goes downhill after that.  The author Ruth Haley Barton reminds us that when Jesus healed the blind man, those who were closest to Jesus, those who should have seen the miracle the most clearly were the most out of touch!

The disciples who were with Jesus saw the blind man healed but they used it as an opportunity for theological and philosophical discussions. “Who sinned, the or; man or his parents?” There was no love, no compassion for this man’s situation.  Instead of caring and being excited for another human being they asked the blame question, “Whose fault is it?”  The disciples seemed to be caught up in the structure they were brought up in.  They couldn’t see outside of it.  Jesus said “you’re asking the wrong question!”  Neither this man nor his parent’s sinned.  In essence he said that is an old way of seeing and interpreting reality and has nothing to do with what is happening right now in front of them.  The right question is “what is God doing and how can I get on board?”

Somehow it’s so easy to get into that black and white thinking of blaming ourselves or others for suffering. I almost always struggle with guilt when I get sick.  “What did I do wrong?”  When my kids have messed up or are suffering it’s so easy to think I’m responsible or I need to fix it.  Trying to face suffering has been going on forever.  But it seems Jesus is saying “forget all that”!  God is always loving, always loving, always wanting to heal here and now.  We don’t have to be perfect to be healed.  We need to be humble and accept the great news!