The sixth sign

The reading from John's gospel about the man born blind (Jn. 9.1-41) is acknowledged by most modern scholars as being the sixth sign in the book of signs. The story, whilst written for an audience that was probably in the throes of separation from the greater Jewish synagogue faith system, has much to teach us in today's world. It cannot be taken literally but rather is to be interpreted from an allegorical standpoint with theological implications that resound in today's societal shifts and fear.

The analogy of being blind points to ourselves in many ways as we come together as a part of the body of Christ. The implications are many especially for those who have an adamantine exterior and close ourselves of from what others are saying. Our first port of call must be a recognition of ourselves as but mortal. At the start of Lent during the imposition of ashes there is a stark reminder of this in the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return". If we truly recognise this then we must also recognise that in our mortality we cannot encompass the understanding of God. The author of the story is pointing out to those within the synagogue system that there conceptions are just that and no matter how many rules that are put in place God will appear in the place most unexpected. We cannot be the sole arbiters of what is perceived to be the truth as we ourselves are not God.

Open the eyes of those who are blind to your presence

Given our own blindness in many things how do we respond to this story today? Perhaps, one of the things we need to remind ourselves of is that we need to become Christlike in our responses. In grappling with issues that are going to divide communities we actually need to respond with compassion and understanding. To often we have two responses, fear of power or instant come back knowing that we are right. This is the flight or fight response. More often than not we are like the parents in the story, comfortable where we are and having no wish to upset the powers who have authority. There are too many situations in our current world that offer these two responses and only these two responses. We are bearers of the faith in Christ who is in God and as such we bring the light of truth into the world through our actions and our words. If we are too thoughtless about those around us then we will fight with little regard as to its effect on the community (Perhaps, the recent statements by Margaret Court's church in Perth is a case in point). Equally as inappropriate is the approach that means we bow down to what the hierarchy says. We stay in our comfort zone and there is little disruption to our way of life and we have little regard once more for those around us who are questioning or are in need. Instead of thinking of novel ways to be Christlike to the world around us we fall back on what we are told to do and blindly follow.

The community of faith is not asked to build walls to keep people out but rather it is asked to open our fences and see God in the other. In doing so we begin to realise that we have been truly blind to God's presence amongst us and our own need to change. In the face of adversity and challenge to our thinking we need to be open to the newness of life that God brings in the form of Christ's light in our hearts. Let us truly open our eyes to God's work in and through the other as we explore our own frailties in the presence of the other. Our danger today is to create the leper's boundary rather than to accept the leper into full community.