Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

The search for the new king and the choice and anointing of David open a new  chapter in the story of the Israel. Each step of the way is determined by God,  making this a history of salvation. God decided from which family the kings would  come, and even which son would be chosen from that family. No one in Jesse’s  family even considered David as a viable candidate, but God did. It seems that  God often chooses the least likely to accomplish great deeds. Once David was  anointed king, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, confirming the choice of  him to rule the people. 

The binary opposition of light/darkness is a very significant theme. The  Ephesians are told that before they knew Christ, they were so much a part of  darkness that they were actually identified with it. Having accepted Christ, they  are now identified with the light that comes from the Lord. They are told that they  must now live as children of that light. There is a play on the difference between  virtuous behavior that can be plainly seen, because it is done in the light, and  shameful behavior that is hidden in the secret of darkness. The Ephesians are to  hold fast to the new life that has been given to them and live in the light.

The account of the healing of the man born blind is filled with the symbolism  of darkness/light, blindness/sight. The man was born blind and so he lived his life  in darkness. However, his ultimate insight into the identity of Jesus was rewarded  with the gift of sight. In a very real sense, the man is now a new creation, both  physically with sight and spiritually with faith. The Pharisees, on the other hand,  enjoyed the power of sight, but they were blind to the great powers exercised by  Jesus. Furthermore, when given the opportunity to move into the light of faith,  they chose the darkness of disbelief. 

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