Pastor John Wright

But the readings are about "seeing". Seeing is not merely a physiological activity; it is cultural in what we see deeply formed by the truthfulness of the formation of the people of whom we are a part. Our deepest commitments arise out of and return to "what we see." If we remember this, we might understand better the importance of these readings.

The Gospel reading is very long -- as happens in Lent, particularly when reading from the Gospel of John. Let's start there, move to the Samuel text, and then to the Epistle reading. Because the texts are long, we'll try to keep the commentary focused on "seeing".

John 9:1-38

Note who "sees" first in the passage. Maybe you can even go through as a group to see all the allusions to seeing. As throughout the Gospel of John, words have multiple means -- a literal, apparent meaning and a "spiritual" typological meaning. One can be blind while seeing, and see while being blind. How is ultimately the "work of God" revealed in the blind man?

Maybe it's most interesting just to go through and ask what various characters in the passage see"

What does Jesus "see" throughout the passage?
What does Jesus' disciples "see" throughout the passage?
What do the neighbor of the healed "blind man" see?
What do the Pharisees "see" when the man is brought to them?
What does the parents of the blind man "see"?
What does the blind man who Jesus heals "see"?

How does the second conversation between Jesus and the blind man take place? What is the final evidence of the man's "sight"? What is it to "see" in the passage?

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Again, following the motif, let's follow "sight" in the passage through the character of Samuel.

What is preventing him from seeing at the beginning of the passage? What does God tell him?
What does Samuel see when he arrives at Bethlehem? What is the problem that presents itself to him? How does God instruct Samuel to "see"? Who does he end up seeing?

Why does Samuel anoint David in the presence of his family? Why is Samuel able to immediately leave?

It seems to me that this passage functions typologically, both as a foreshadowing of Christ as well as an instruction in discipleship. How does it function in these roles?

Ephesians 5:1-14

How do the ethical commands of this passage depend on "seeing" correctly? How do the prohibitions help one to see? Obviously we need light to "see"? Why are certain practices in the dark? Why do other practices mentioned in the passage allow us to see what is "good and right and true"? Think of the image -- how does one "expose" darkness as darkness. Why is the resurrection mentioned as the manifestation of light at the end? How does the resurrection allow us to "see" truthfully?

Obviously, learning to see takes hard work, but comes to us always as a gift; it is never just given. To see what is "good and right and true" is our end? How does worship, bible study, and participation in the works of mercy help us to see beyond these times, but to see and participate in that which is "good and right and true" -- and one might add, beautiful!

Have a wonderful time together!