Each of us suffers from some sort of spiritual cataracts or blindness. We see through the film of anxiety, fear, judgment, prejudice, defensiveness and the like. Jesus has come to heal our blindness such that we can see each other as he sees us, as children of God. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12).
Jesus made this statement after the incident of the woman brought to him that was caught in adultery. Jesus said at the climax of that encounter, to the scribes and Pharisees, those who had come to hear him, and presumably his disciples, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Everyone had left for all have sinned. None of us are worthy to stand in the presence of God.
Yet, they came back, even the Pharisees. Jesus is the light of the world that shines in our darkness. He reveals to us darkness in our heart and our sin. Yet, what matters to Jesus is not our worthiness but our willingness to repent. Are we willing to see not only our own sin and to be healed of it, but are we willing to see the shortcomings and needs of others and instead of judging them, are we willing to accompany them and allow Jesus to be present through us?
We have a choice to make each day. We can see others through the filters of our fallen nature, our limited perspective, or we can see others through the light of Jesus. We can see ourselves and others as children of God made in his image and likeness, so to see each other with eyes of understanding, forgiveness, love and mercy.
