One of the joys of the lectionary is when a text chosen ages ago seems to fit the times so well. This week’s text comes from John 9, and Jesus is pretty gross here. I mean, he rubs his muddy spit on some dude’s eyes. That would be outrageous behavior in our COVID-19 world right now.

Spit (ptusas in Greek, isn’t that fun?!) was believed to have healing qualities for skin diseases. But it was deemed impolite then, as now, to spit in public. And it was a sign of degradation then, as now, to spit in someone’s face. At the very least, it would have been abnormal and unexpected for Jesus to use his spit to make mud and heal this man’s eyes (excellent article on that here). But it is in this very act of disgrace that Jesus offers amazing grace.

Keep Your Social Distance

Right now, we’re told that social distancing is the new norm. We are at the very beginning of weeks, if not months, of apartness.  Our children can’t go to school, churches are figuring out how to meet online, businesses are worried how they will stay open.  And all of us can think of a few loved ones that we’re worried will get this virus.  It’s scary. It’s hard to see how Jesus spitting in some dude’s eye is good news in times like these.

But maybe the good news is that Jesus was willing to face disgrace.  Like John Wesley, Jesus “submitted to be more vile” and did what was right even when it meant bad press.  He emptied himself, becoming like us, the holy mixed among the unholy.  And though we may struggle to understand how to do that these days, I see people stepping up to help their community, donating, distributing, and delivering food to those in need. I see people making personal sacrifices for the greater good.  I see people hoping that even their small actions can save just one life.  Even if we can’t physically be together in the same ways right now, we stand in solidarity to brave the unknown. (And as the parent of a 9 and 6 year old, that seems like a VERY long unknown!).  Perhaps all we need is eyes to see, and the opportunities will present themselves.