Bridging the Split

The Gospel is John 9:1-41

How do we interpret the objective fact that a blind man is physically healed? The Pharisees interpreted this legalistically, as a violation of the Sabbath and therefore not of God.

No one in the story rejoiced with the blind man who could see after a life of blindness, not even his own parents. The “spin” on the event became more important than the miraculous healing itself.

As Nathaniel said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

This seems absurd, yet we can see the same dynamic in our own polarized world. People cannot entertain the possibility that anything good can come from people on the other side of the split. We might say, “Can anything good come from the other side of the split?”

We can stop looking for someone to blame, and start seeing how God’s works can be revealed through every situation, every person.

It’s the mission of the Church, our mission, to refuse to enter into the game of labeling, vilifying, excommunicating, ignoring truths that challenge us. Let our light shine, to be the reconciling, healing and restoring ambassadors of Christ to a divided, partisan world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.