Eyes Open Wide
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could read with both eyes," she said to her surprised father.
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. - Luke 10:21
One of the programs I enjoy listening to is The Moth Radio Hour on Public Radio. In this week's podcast, a young woman, Anagha Mahajan, tells of her struggle to overcome a disability. She was born with sight in only one eye and she didn't realize this was unusual until she was twelve years old.
It was then that she told her father she thought it would be great if both eyes could read.
Imagine not knowing that there is more one should be able to do with the gifts one receives.
Anagha's story is not just about physical sight. She takes us on a journey that reveals deeper insights into the barriers between people in her society, and she discovers through her encounters with someone in a lower class level, that she can see things more clearly.
I think this is what Jesus is talking about.
We can choose our own blindness. We can refuse to see what is revealed to us, and we can see what we imagine to be true.
Intelligence and wisdom can be obstacles to clarity, and innocence may not have that problem.
The leaders of the faith in Jesus' time had a vision of the Kingdom of God that was so powerful and so well defined, when the true vision was revealed, they couldn't see it. They saw something false, because it failed to match their truth.
Sound familiar?
We continue to have trouble seeing the truth when we so strongly wish to see our own.
Anagha's story is a parable for our time. If you get a chance, listen to it.
More to come...
To hear the podcast, click here: The Moth Radio Hour