Clarity of Sight
Mark’s Gospel is my favorite of the four Gospels. I love Mark because it’s stripped down and brief, but also because in its brevity it hides a lot. In some ways it’s like a sixteen-chapter riddle, begging to be figured out.
We find that especially in the middle section of Mark, between verses 8:22 and 10:52. During that middle section, on three different occasions Jesus tries to explain to the Twelve Disciples what his life, ministry, and coming death are all about. This section is framed by the healing of two blind men.
In the first case, at the beginning of the section, the blind man’s initial healing is only partial. He can see a little bit, but everything is still fuzzy. In the second healing, at the end of this section, the second blind man, Blind Bartimaeus, recognizes who Jesus is even before Bartimaeus is healed. In other words, his sight is crystal clear even before his eyes start working.
That’s all a metaphor for how our own understanding as latter-day followers of Jesus is fuzzy and slow in coming. We talk a lot about Jesus and throw his name casually around, acting like we see and understand what discipleship is all about, but often our sight is dim.
Right in the middle of Mark’s central section, after Jesus has already explained his coming Passion twice, the disciples have their famous argument about who among them will be the greatest. After so much time with Jesus, they still think that it’s all about such worldly things as, well, things, and status, and the inside track. And despite Jesus’ repeated attempts to explain that love and grace are the only things that matter, it won’t be until the Passion comes that the disciples’ sight begins to clear.
The reading about the disciples’ argument came up in the Daily Office on Monday, and it occurred to me that we are living today in the central section of Mark in real life just as in the lectionary. We’ve known Jesus for a long time, but now, in these days, as we face uncertainties unlike any experienced in generations, we are coming to understand with speedy clarity what Jesus’ Gospel really means. The fuzziness is just about gone.
We now see with clarity how vulnerable we are and how in need we are of one another. We see how those who are giving of themselves as servants — our healthcare workers, first responders, compassionate neighbors, and others who care for those in need — are the most worthy of our esteem. We see that love and grace are the only real things, and how with them, we already have everything of value.
Most of all, we see with clarity that the transformation of our hearts and souls comes from following the person of Jesus who lived his life, and gave his life, for all of these things. This new sight is a gift.
We are near the end of Lent, and we will soon once again walk the way of the Passion. Except that in many ways, it seems like we’ve already been walking the way of the Passion this entire Lenten season.
When we reach the other side of this season, however long it may last — when we get beyond the coronavirus and the central section of Mark in our lives — I pray that we will retain our clarity of sight. I pray that we will, like Blind Bartimaeus, see grace wherever it is and share love whenever we can. I think we will. I think this experience is changing us, redeeming us, so that like Blind Bartimaeus, when we see Jesus on the road, we will call out to him and follow.
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In consultation with public health officials, Bishop Doyle has instructed that our in-person worship and group gatherings will be suspended through May 9.
Worship: Each Sunday we will continue to worship from home. This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday! You can access our online worship services at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. by clicking on the service time you wish to see.
Each weekday, we are also offering Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. on the Cathedral’s Facebook Page.
Holy Week and Easter: We are preparing a full slate of Holy Week and Easter worship services. Some of these services will be traditional services filmed in the Cathedral chancel. Others will be interactive services that involve you and your family at home. Next week’s email will give full details about each service. Stay tuned!
Cathedral Programming: Cathedral online programming for all ages continues! Click here to find out about all the ways to connect. For Zoom online small groups specifically, click here.
Pastoral Care: We are implementing the “Cathedral Good Neighbor” program to check on our parishioners. Expect to receive a phone call or email from a Cathedral Good Neighbor, who lives near you. Be sure to let your Cathedral Good Neighbor know how you are doing and whether you have any needs.
You can also reach out to our Minister for Pastoral Care, Jody Gillit, or to any of our priests:
Jody Gillit, Minister for Pastoral Care
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, 832-691-4775
The Very Rev. Barkley Thompson
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, 832-740-3595
The Rev. Canon Art Callaham
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, 713-597-1375
The Rev. Canon Simón Bautista
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, 301-204-0130
The Rev. Canon Becky Zartman
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, 570-259-0671
The Rev. Greg Seme
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, 305-788-0754
The Rev. Jim Morgan
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, 936-355-9051
After Hours Pastoral Care Line, English, 713-826-5332 (nights and weekends)
After Hours Pastoral Care Line, en español, 301-204-0130
God bless you this week!
Grace and peace,
The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson, Dean
English