We live in a prestige obsessed culture. Popularity and power dominate from high school hallways to reality TV. The daily news and our political processes are saturated contests of prestige. Sports figures, movie stars, politicians, TV commentators are the daily focus. Even in the grocery store checkout line the magazine racks push food and fame.

People sometimes wonder why God doesn’t perform miracles anymore (he does from time to time, by the way). They think if only he did miracles, then non-believers would be convinced of his existence or the faith of marginal believers would be strengthened. But is that really so?

Here, neighbours and people who had seen this blind man can’t make sense of his restored sight.

Have you ever felt trapped by someone who was picking a fight with you about God, or maybe felt tongue-tied to explain your faith?

Put yourself in the blind man’s shoes: he does not yet fully understand what’s happened to him or who Jesus is, yet he’s summoned to a second meeting with powerful religious leaders.

We never get to know the blind man’s name, but we do learn some revealing things about his character.

Just as Jesus is seeking him out, the blind man is seeking greater knowledge of God. When the Lord asks him whether he believes in the “Son of Man,” he is eager to know who that is, not just out of curiosity, but out of a genuine desire to worship the Son of Man.

Sometimes, the Christian life can be challenging. Increasingly, we are mocked for our beliefs. Sometimes we must choose a more difficult path, because the easy path is just wrong. Sometimes, going back to our old lives is tempting.

Recall John 9 for a moment: the blind man miraculously healed by Jesus.

Have you ever felt disappointed by another Christian? Let down? Sometimes it can shake a person’s faith. After all, Christians are supposed to do what’s right all the time, because they have Christ in them. So what does it say about our faith if someone does something really wrong?

Not so fast.

“ I am laid low in the dust; preserve me according to your word.”

Sailing on a windy day is exciting! The sailboat moves quickly over the waves, the wind is in your face and all is well in the world. Then there are still days with no wind and that same boat sits motionless. In today’s reading from this psalm we meet the writer downcast and weary.