Looking Behind Our Seeing
- davidwperk
- Oct 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Proper 25, the week of the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. Dr. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
27 While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ 28But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’. . . .34Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. 35Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. 36If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’
You will find the full Gospel reading for today at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 991)
AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48
Ecclus. 24:1-12; Rev. 11:14-19; Luke 11:27-36
Today we celebrate the Feast of . (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Light and sight create darkness and blindness. As James Hillman observes,
". . . whatever consciousness casts light upon at once creates a shadow. The moment we see more clearly, we become more blind and cannot see behind what we see, the other side of what we see. Seeing and not seeing go together, concurrently, co-relatively. Or, as Jung said years ago, the taller the tree, the longer the shadow. Tho' that shadow seems cast by the tree and in the shape of the tree, it originates in light.*
I wonder if Hillman had read Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel. The woman seems to have seen. Her benediction feels correct. Yet, Jesus implies that her vision has missed as much as it has seen. Is she being obedient to God’s word? If not, blessing someone else who is obeying falls short. It is not enough.
The crowds following Jesus were growing but Jesus challenged them. More light was shining on them than on any previous generation but those generations turned to God with less light. These crowds indeed were basking in bright light but also stumbling in the shadows it created.
The human eye admits the light but if that eye is diseased the person can live shrouded in darkness no matter how much light the eye admits. Only a healthy eye responds to the light more adequately. Who among us would claim that our perspective, our angle of vision, our spiritual eye, lacks some “dis-ease,” some infection with bias? Just exactly what ARE we seeing?
Today’s Gospel challenges us to look behind and beyond all our seeing, to be less settled with our insights and understandings. Jesus challenges us to look behind and beyond to the darkness that our seeing creates. Jesus challenges us to know that the very light that gives us vision also creates more shadows. For every piece of light, for every inch of progress, for every area of healing and transformation, there will be additional darkness, more ground to cover, and more areas needing the healing touch of God’s light. The smugness associated with having grasped the light must give way to the humility generated by acknowledging the darkness yet to be dispelled.
As Frederick Buechner put it so very well. "It is impossible for anybody to leave behind the darkness of the world he carries on his back like a snail, but for God all things are possible.”+
* James Hillman, Insearch: Psychology and Religion, Second Revised Edition (Woodstock, CT: Spring Publications, 1994), pp. 133-134.
+Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, & Fairy Tale (New York: Harper, 1977), pp. 7-8.
Collect of the Day: Proper 25, the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 235)
Today we celebrate the Feast of James Hannington and the Martyrs of Uganda (died 29 Oct 1885 CE)
Collect of the Feast of James Hannington and the Martyrs of Uganda
O God, by whose providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church: Grant that we who remember before you James Hannington and his companions, may, like them, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they gave obedience even to death, and by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For Vocation in Daily Work
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 261)
A Prayer for Light
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Luke 11:27-36
27 While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ 28But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! 33‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. 35Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. 36If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’
Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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