Today more comments about the story of the blind man in the 9th chapter in the gospel of John - by James Alison.
...the story is of an inclusion. The man was blind from birth and thus cut off not only from a certain participation in a human good, but also from full integration into the community of Israel. His blindness was considered part of a moral defect that meant he was ipso facto impure and unable to participate fully in their cultic life of Israel. His sight is easily given him on a Sabbath, and he is integrated into the life of the people by the process of healing. The healing has various elements: clay is used mixed with Jesus' spittle, thus showing Jesus as fulfilling the original creation and bringing it to perfection. The man is sent to a pool outside the city and comes back seeing. Most commentators see in this detail, as in the whole story, reference to the baptismal process of illumination, thus indicating that a historical incident is being retold in the light of the resurrection, which had made baptism the way in to the Church. It is by this washing in a pool, considered by rabbinic sources a place of purification, that sight was given. The man was now able, at least in theory, to be integrated fully into the life of Israel.
At least in theory - the man was now able to be integrated into the life of Israel. As we will see later in the story - no way. The healing presence of Jesus that changes the way things are and always have been (the man was blind from birth) is denied by the ones who need to be in control. Sometimes that need to be 'controlling' is able to deny the reality of what is going on. So somehow the man who is included because he is no longer blind, is led out the door because - his sight is not sanctioned. One of the odd works of today's church is that there are so many ways of talking about inclusion. Even the churches who have a long list of people who are not to be included - and must even be damned - use language of inclusion. And yet, it is an inclusion that has a litany of exclusions written in small print. Therefore, the door may look open - but it is a door that will be closed quickly if a person is not in the shape of those who are 'really' welcome.
Connection: The Church welcomes not from the position of controlling power. Rather the Church includes from the position of being once pushed out - forsaken - hung out to dry - accused and rejected. The Church includes through the power of forgiveness and reconciliation that heals and makes whole so that all may walk within the community as part of God's image. I find that there is an astounding power handed to us when we are included. It brings up the question - now what? That has the power of promise behind it - like baptism.
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