[Sing AMAZING GRACE]
[I sing a modern version of Amazing Grace . . . .]
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind. . . . . [stop abruptly]
What are the next four words? [Illicit “but now I see”] That was a different version of one of the most cherished songs in our tradition. You all probably know that first verse by heart. Still, have you ever thought of what those words mean?
For example, what could “Was blind” mean? I think it refers to something that we all fall into . . . denial. As Mark Twain said, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” Get it . . . “Dah-Nile? The Nile?”
We all are in denial at various times in our lives . . . .
-that our clothes shrunk, that’s why they are so tight
-that a few quick text messages when driving isn’t so bad
-that amount of drinking you do is normal
-that you are destined to play on a Professional Sports Team
-that you can fix that problem by doing the same thing over and over
-that your behavior (or habits) has no effect on climate change
-that all Latinos are lazy, Jews are greedy, Blacks are violent, Muslims are out to destroy us
-that any problems in the world are someone else’s responsibility
Calvin from the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” says,
“I am not in denial, I am just very selective about the reality I accept.”
The gospel seems to be about healing and blindness, but a main point of the story is to confront “denial.” Think about it, all through the story someone is in denial:
-the neighbors deny that it was the same blind man that they’ve known all their lives.
-the Pharisees deny that he was really blind to begin with.
-the Pharisees also deny that Jesus could be from God, because he did this healing on a Sabbath
and one isn't supposed to do anything on the Sabbath, so even though the healing is a good thing it must be from a bad person (who doesn’t follow the laws).
-man’s parents throw their son under the bus, because they don’t want to get involved.
-the former blind “almost” denies that Jesus is the Son of Man, but then comes around.
And that is the main point of the story . . . we can’t keep denying the goodness and grace of Jesus, or of God. I have invited someone from our parish to speak at all the Masses this weekend. Here is Lisa Newhouse; she has a story to share. [Invite Lisa to come to podium to give her “tithing testimony.”]
The grace of Christ is meant for you to “open your eyes” and receive goodness. If you are struggling financially try tithing, which means set aside a portion of your income for God, for the Church. Usually that means giving away 10% of what you earn. 5% to the Church, 4% to other charities and good causes. 1% to the Diocese.
Because there is a reality that we can’t deny . . . Christ Our Light Parish operates because of your contributions. There is no other way that we get money to pay for the lights, for the muffins of last weekend, for the communication about tornado clean, to pay the staff and to keep this parish vibrant and alive.
So here is your opportunity . . . I and the Pastoral Council would like to increase our staff so that we can offer more programs and activities for adults (including young adults, couples, Senior members) and to also improve the care and concern that we give to the poor and needy by adding a staff member oversee all the programs that we currently do and get us all on board with awareness, Service trips, advocacy, basically helping us help each other, especially the hungry and poor.
I am challenging each family to increase your monthly giving by at least $5 a month. That comes out to the same cost as a cup of coffee per week. You will be receiving a Parish Newsletter this week. In it you find out more of the details of what this expansion means. We will also be mailing out a Direct Withdrawal form. That’s what I use. It’s so easy and safe. And for those of you who still want to put in an envelope each weekend, well just drop in your “empty envelope.” We will know that you contribute.
We are a good parish. We are on the verge to becoming a great parish . . . that ministers and cares for every age group. Don’t be blind. This is not someone else’s responsibility. If you are already are maxed-out on your contributions, we say “thank you.” If you can increase we say . . .
[Sing] I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.