PRACTICE
Own Your Agency and Responsibility
In a culture of “slactivism” and virtue signaling, it is as important as ever to be genuinely responsive to the things we know about the conflicts and injustices of our world. Watch the video HERE.
GOSPEL
John 9:1-41 (NRSV)
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.
DISCUSSION
Small Group Reflection Questions for March 19 - March 25
• In the gospel text, where do you see examples of people either claiming or trying to escape responsibility? Where do you see examples of people owning their own agency?
• This peacemaking practice is paired with the peacemaking principle of “Justice - recognizing that peace and justice are intertwined.” At the end of the gospel text, Jesus tells the religious leaders that since they’ve said they can see, then they are guilty. When we become aware of injustice — when we see it — then we have a responsibility to own our agency in addressing it. We can no longer ignore it. Think back to the neighborhood research we learned earlier and the issue that compelled you. What did you learn today that you are feeling a tug to do something about now that you are aware of it?
• In thinking of that issue, is there some responsibility you bear as being part of the problem? What would it look like — what would it require of you — to own that responsibility? Would it require amends? Reparations? Lifestyle changes?
• Is there an opportunity for you to claim some agency in being part of the solution to that issue? (While being mindful of how easy it is to slip into saviorism or to inadvertently hurt when trying to help.)
Access the full small group guide HERE.
POEMS
“I chose this poem with both the Principle and Practice in mind—taking responsibility with tangible action for the work of peace and justice. Also, the Scripture text of John 9 comes to mind with Jesus redefining what Sabbath is for—healing—and the generation today redefining church as the work of justice and peace on the frontlines, mutual aid, building healing communities, etc.” — Drew Jackson
THE SIGN OF JONAH
by Drew Jackson
In my generation
many have forsaken
the four walls.
We prefer church in the wild,
providing sanctuary
from corrupt governments.
We raise our hallelujah on the protest line,
standing eye to eye
with police in riot gear.
We are partial to prayer meetings in the streets,
less movement of the mouth
more marching of the feet.
No other sign will be given.
The revolution will not be televised.
Poem taken from Touch the Earth: Poems on The Way (InterVarsity Press)
SONG
This week we focus on a song about the need for loving sentiment to be accompanied by action. This is Stevie Wonder’s song “Love’s In Need of Love” and it is covered here by the Good Shepherd Collective.
"The concept I had in mind was that for love to be effective, it has to be fed," he told Marc Myers, author of Anatomy of a Song. "Love by itself is hollow."
Listen to the Good Shepherd Collective song HERE.
ASSIGNMENT
This week, find people in your neighborhood who are doing work in the area or issue you’ve identified as compelling to you. This could be an activist group, a charity organization, a community board, a church or religious ministry, or even a Facebook group of concerned citizens. Take one action step toward the group — maybe make a phone call to learn more, show up to a meeting or even volunteer — but do something that requires you to engage personally, not just online or through research. You don’t have to make a long term commitment, they may not be the right group or opportunity. This is a first step toward active engagement on the issue you’re feeling called toward.