Saturday, April 08, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Psalm 42, 43
Exodus 10:21 - 11:8
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Mark 10:46-52
I have begun writing this devotional just as dusk is beginning to fall at the end of a winter's day. The grey clouds are beginning to darken and the light of the sun is waning. I know if I get up and turn on the light switch, there will be bright 21st century light to help me get through the growing darkness. Now what does this have to do with the Lent or the readings?
The reading from Exodus tells us the story of the last two plagues. The 9th plague, that of darkness, is caused, as all the others are, by Pharaoh's stubbornness. He rejects his role in God's plan for humanity. He is literally blind to God's will. Following this same visual theme, we find Bartimaeus, a poor blind man from Jericho. He, however, although physically blind, sees God's plan better than most. He calls out to Jesus. Although the disciples demand that he be silent, he doesn't listen, and continues his quest. What is the result? Jesus cures his blindness.
Light and sight are both themes in Corinthians. "What we aim for is not visible, but invisible." Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal.
God wants for us to turn on the light switch, call out for help, and not take no for an answer. The great lover of mankind wants us to open our eyes to God's love and to receive it with a thankful heart. God wants us to be proactive in seeking the divine presence, as was Bartimaeus.
Yes, I have now turned on the light switch. I can see what the psalmist was praying: "Send out your light and your truth: they shall be my guide, to lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." May God help us overcome the darkness to find his love.
Exodus 10:21 - 11:8
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Mark 10:46-52
I have begun writing this devotional just as dusk is beginning to fall at the end of a winter's day. The grey clouds are beginning to darken and the light of the sun is waning. I know if I get up and turn on the light switch, there will be bright 21st century light to help me get through the growing darkness. Now what does this have to do with the Lent or the readings?
The reading from Exodus tells us the story of the last two plagues. The 9th plague, that of darkness, is caused, as all the others are, by Pharaoh's stubbornness. He rejects his role in God's plan for humanity. He is literally blind to God's will. Following this same visual theme, we find Bartimaeus, a poor blind man from Jericho. He, however, although physically blind, sees God's plan better than most. He calls out to Jesus. Although the disciples demand that he be silent, he doesn't listen, and continues his quest. What is the result? Jesus cures his blindness.
Light and sight are both themes in Corinthians. "What we aim for is not visible, but invisible." Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal.
God wants for us to turn on the light switch, call out for help, and not take no for an answer. The great lover of mankind wants us to open our eyes to God's love and to receive it with a thankful heart. God wants us to be proactive in seeking the divine presence, as was Bartimaeus.
Yes, I have now turned on the light switch. I can see what the psalmist was praying: "Send out your light and your truth: they shall be my guide, to lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." May God help us overcome the darkness to find his love.
Jeffrey Truglia
Comments:
This literally brought tears to my eyes, which may be appropriate given the subject. How often am I blind to God at work in my life, all around me? And yet here's Bartimaeus, actually blind, and he sees how to God's promise more clearly than I do with my working (far-sighted, astigmatic, but thankfully still functioning) eyes. Thank you for this -- it's a good thought to bring with me into Holy Week.
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Derek : April 08, 2006
Derek : April 08, 2006 Post a Comment
