Blinded by Sight
AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144 • PM Psalm 42, 43
Exod. 10:21-11:8 • 2 Cor. 4:13-18 • Mark 10:46-52
As COVID-19 spreads, life becomes more unpredictable and increasingly deviates from normalcy. We are all forced to adapt and slow down. Many are struggling to cope with the change of pace. This virus has halted the breakneck pace of modern-day society, which has given us space to fill. In this time of uncertainty, people are blinded by fear and fill any extra time obsessing over the news, buying their 75th toilet paper roll, and knitting “protective” face masks. It is important to take precautions, but unchecked fear pulls us further from God and our humanity.
The reading from 2 Corinthians urges us to focus on the unseen instead of what is seen and stresses that our afflictions are short-lived and can’t compare to the eternal glory we will receive. So often our sight blinds us. God is always present, even in our suffering. During this international crisis, we must look past the superficial and find God. Let us learn to ask for sight as Bartimaeus did in the Gospel reading from today. We have been given a huge gift of time. We can allow fear to rule our actions and only see the negatives or we can allow God to give us sight and reveal incredible ways to use this time. Love and relationship have never been more important. Perhaps God is calling us to improve our inner selves and deepen our relationships. Since we can’t go to churches, we must find God in our homes and invite Him into the most intimate parts of our lives. This virus prevents us from separating our spiritual life from our home life or our work life. God is with us in everything, but often the pace of life blinds us to His presence. Let us regain sight both in this time and long after.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16
Written by Hadley Thomas
Hadley is currently a biochemistry student at Colorado School of Mines and hopes to attend medical school to become a Navy physician. She is passionate about her faith and is excited to share her perspective and interpretations with the amazing congregation of St. Paul's.