Lent 4 – Year A March 2, 2008

John 9:1-41 Christ Church – Warwick, NY

One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.

- John 9:25

Our bible stories this day share a common theme. Both the story of the anointing of David from the Book of Samuel and the story of the blind man healed by Jesus from the Gospel of John are tales that encourage us in slightly different ways to be careful with our expectations about how God is present in our lives. In the former case God speaks directly and audibly to Samuel as he seeks to find God's chosen servant among Jesse's sons: "the Lord does not see as mortals see." If we would be in touch with God's will – and follow God's ways – we need to look at the world through God's eyes. Similarly in the story of Jesus healing the blind man, the Pharisees are roundly condemned by Jesus for their lack of vision – their "blindness." They are so sure they know everything about "right and wrong" that they utterly fail to comprehend the meaning of the healing of the blind man.

Both stories challenge us to look at the world in a new way. To be careful not to let our preconceptions and our expectations blind us to seeing what God is really up to in our lives. It's been a helpful exercise for me this week – with that admonition in mind – to be watchful for moments where what I think I know about how God works in the world, may not be matching up with my daily life experiences of God's real presence and grace in this here and now.

Monday I took the day off and as usual, tackled a list of household chores that needed to be done. The content of my Monday list changes weekly but it always includes a stop at Shop Rite for the week's groceries. Since I shop at the same time each week – and at a very quiet hour – I'm pretty well known at the grocery store. The cart girl knows I'm "Father Scott" from watching the TV show we used to produce, the produce and fish guy both consistently chat me up about their wares and the weather…

And in particular I have a special friend at the check out. The same kind woman always waves me over to her stand and says, "It's so great to see you! You always brighten my day!"

Sometimes I even get a hug before she starts calculating the damage on her register. As she scans my purchases our conversation then follows a familiar pattern. How's the church? How's your family? But then – without fail week after week – she will tell me that things are not great out her house – especially money-wise, and though she is praying hard to win the lottery, she's not sure that God really hears her prayers. Usually she cries.

I've tried to be both reassuring and encouraging both over the months. "I can imagine how tough that is," I'll say, "It can be really hard to see how God answers our prayers I'll say," "Maybe there's another way besides buying lottery tickets," I'll say.

It is in many ways a heart-breaking exchange, all the more so for the way in which our conversation repeats itself almost verbatim, week after week. She seems a really kind and faithful lady…whose life is really hard.

Jesus thoroughly aligns himself with the poor and the outcast, he challenges us to do the same in a dozen ways. Part of how we get ourselves off the hook for doing his bidding is that we make assumptions about what "poverty" looks like: it walks the street carrying lots of shopping bags, pushing an old grocery cart…talking to an invisible companion. As long as we do not run into that person, we can assume that there is no poverty in our lives, and so no need for us to do anything about it.

It has been important for me to see that there are poverties of many kinds – and that hopelessness is often disguised by a winning smile.

On Thursday I was in the car for about seven hours and consequently ate a lot of fast food. On the way to school the following morning I was kidding with my kids by showing off the trash in the front seat: evidence of a McDonald's stop as well as a rest area pull over for my favorite road trip fuel: Cheetos and chocolate milk. I thought the kids would say: you stink! We love fast food more than you! How come you never take us to McDonalds? But instead, Emily quipped, "I thought you gave up fast food for Lent."

"On no, no," I shot back, "I gave up fast food lunches for Lent. This McDonalds bag is from breakfast on the road, and the Cheetos and chocolate milk were a late night snack.

Silence from the back seat.

Which got me fidgeting up front.

Sometimes silence is the most effective form of speech. It is good to remember that the voice of the prophet who calls us to live more holy and faithful lives does not always come from the one who stands apart and anointed for that ministry. You never know who will call you to account for your sins. Good to keep your ears – and your eyes – open.

Very early on Friday morning the phone rang at church. "Good morning Christ Church – this is Father Barker."

"Father, Thomas Mazzarino."

I remember how angry I used to get at the cynicism of older priests when I was first ordained. For every terrific new idea I had, they had a story about how that had already been tried and failed in the church. In every person who came to the church looking for help, I would find some little token of the presence of Jesus, and they would see nothing at all but a con or a freeloader. Where I was always excited to connect with people and try to do all these ministries that seemed faithful and fun, they seemed preoccupied with nothing but building problems and money. Oh and golf.

So Tom Mazzarino calls and I think: I've never heard of this guy and that means that he's calling the church because he needs something. I don't have any money to give right now…and if I did I know there are parishioners who need it too. And dang it – it's eight in the morning! Can't I even get half my sermon written before they come after me!

And Tom Mazzarino says, "I'm calling from Interstate Waste – and we'd love to donate free containers for you to put your trash at your lobster thing in June."

Please Dear God: save me from becoming a person who by the sins of cynicism and sloth becomes blind to the sight of you in this time and place. Help us to be hopeful and optimistic people. It is good to remember that we are all created in the image of God…that anyone at all can be Christ-bearer in our lives.

I am restless sleeper: one of the kind that goes down easy but then wakes up in the middle of the night for any one of a dozen reasons, and then cannot get back to sleep. During a recent night watch there came - some time between three and four AM - the sound of the loud honk of a single goose flying over our house. At first I thought nothing of it. When we lived in the rectory the sound of calling geese was a near constant at certain times of year. Migrating flocks pass directly over Christ Church by the hundreds in the Fall and Spring. I have come to love the sounds of their call and to associate it powerfully with living here in Warwick.

I am absolutely convinced that our hundred and fifty year old church steeple is a homing marker for passing flocks of geese.

Anyway, when I first heard that goose calling that night I had a brief warm fuzzy, until it dawned on me that any goose flying in the middle of the night and calling out all alone was surely a goose in trouble. Flying at night is dangerous…and so is being alone, at any time, for a goose. Though her honking soon faded in the distance, her voice haunted me all week.

I was very surprised to get a phone call from a social worker a few days ago. "So-and-so misses their church…they would love to have a home Communion visit."

I know so-and-so. This is a person who used to worship here regularly and who has many connections to our church family. They also, however, sent word early during my time here that they were angry at the church, and they gave me some clear re-buffs when I tried to visit…or to urge their attendance here on Sunday or some other special occasion. In the face of all this, I had pretty much given up on trying to connect with this person.

Intrigued by the Social Worker's plea, I called on the phone and scheduled a visit with this person right away - and it turned out to be an easy and holy time: a typical, and wonderful exchange of the gifts of God for the people of God. I'm sure I'll visit again soon.

Human feelings of warmth and connection ebb and flow in any relationship – and our relationship with the church is certainly no exception. If anything – this may be an especially likely community for you to experience tension with, as you are challenged to grow…or as things and people that you like about this community change over time. It's good to be reminded that your connection with this community can never be severed. Don't be deterred from calling out when you need help! Don’t be afraid to honk. If we hear you – when we see you – we will come.

This morning's bible stories challenge us to look at the world in a new way. To be careful not to let our preconceptions and our expectations blind us to seeing what God is really up to in our lives. Be watchful for the moments in your life where what you think you know about how God works in the world may not be matching up with your daily life experiences of God's presence and grace. You will be surprised and delighted I am sure, by what you see.

Amen.

J.S. Barker +