JOHN 9: 1-41

Jottings on John…Lent 4…2017 

Are longish passages like this in the liturgy (as distinct from in studies) a ‘turn-off’ instead of the ‘switch on’ we hope they will be? David Lose¹, in a recent reflection, suggests reading only the Gospel that day; is this worth considering if it is seen as a problem? Or is that too ‘out of court’?

Today’s passage centring on Jesus & Reuben (let’s give him a name & a face!) has me pondering ‘taking the initiative’ in the Lenten & Passion-tide Gospels. Holy Spirit takes the initiative in leading / driving (MK) Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. Next, it’s Nicodemus taking it. Then, Jesus asking ‘Samara’ for a drink at Jacob’s well, in giving Reuben his sight, & raising Lazarus. Jesus then sets in train the events of Palm Sunday, & lets the authorities take the initiative on the evening of Maundy Thursday, & in His being tried, condemned, & crucified on ‘Good’ Friday.

God takes back the initiative at Easter, but who’s taking the initiative in the events we’re hearing & preaching about today? Jesus, then ‘neighbours’, Reuben, some Pharisees, Reuben’s parents, Reuben again, who weathers abuse, & confesses faith in Jesus as Messiah. Pharisees try to re-take the initiative, but instead Jesus retakes the initiative that gave Reuben his physical & deep spiritual sight now.

Isn’t it odd that people who know Reuben well as a blind person, can’t - or won’t  - recognise him now he can see! Scene after scene builds up to make a real-life parable for us all. Are there people we know whom we define by their disabilities, shortcomings, or perceived failure to meet some standard we set instead of seeing the possibilities of God taking the initiative in them & their situations? 

No matter our faith or church membership, are our inner eyes wide open to the Deep Wisdom of God & initiatives God may want to take in our own lives, or, with His blessing, in someone else’s? Are we as aware, as Reuben becomes, that the Messianic age has come in Jesus; that it isn’t something only to be looked forward to? Which raises the issue of letting God take the initiative in overcoming our human obsession with clocks & calendars. 

Does the mud - earth + water - bit ring any bells in the evolution of new & spiritual life for Reuben & us?

However we choose to preach this passage, it needs to become a story of now rather than then! Our story, in whatever form it takes, as well as Reuben’s.

¹ On his site: ‘In the Meantime’