Today's reading reflected and complimented the theme that seem to dominate my conversations this weekend- Change and healing
Eph 5:8-14Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,for light produces every kind of goodnessand righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
“Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will give you light.”
The Gospel reading for today is John 9:1-41 on the healing of the blind man.
Often, we shy away from the light of God. Perhaps because we think its is too glaring, or perhaps we prefer to live in the comfort of darkness. Yes, we are often resistant to change, to anything that requires Us to step out of our comfort zone.
Some times we may blame it on God, saying that he doesn't give us enough strength, that he doesn't change our hearts.
Today's reading is encouraging. It reminds us again that living in darkness is fruitless and meaningless. It is not pleasing in the eyes of God and ultimatelyonly causes us to be unhappy, disatisfied with life and jaded.
We are told to expose the works of darkness. And perhaps, exposing them means acknowledging them, bringing them up to God in prayer, confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness. When they are exposed, the light of God will shine upon them.
The light of God's resplendant glory, will transform us. And perhaps all we need is a humble spirit, a contrite heart and the willingness to let His light shine on us and work in our lives.
And this light will also heal us. Just like in the Gospel readings when jesus healed the man who was blind. To be blind is to live in darkness and the light is healing. Perhaps many of us claim to live in the light and not be blind. But are we actually allowing that light to shine upon us?
There are many times when i ask myself: if God is really working in my life, why am i so screwed up? how can i be so horrible. Perhaps, just like in the readings, its is when we are blind that the power of God and his transforming power can be revealed through us, and we can be a living testimony to His word. And it is when we are weak that God's grace abounds.
2 corinthians 12: 7-11
Therefore, that I might not become too elated,
3 a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times
4 I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Apple walnut cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting
Random shots
