Open Our Eyes (Mid-week Message)

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

Open our eyes

May 25, 2016

Psalm 119:18 reads:  “Open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of your Law.” 

The first of the Prayers and Thanksgivings in the Prayer Book takes this image up as follows:

“O Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty:  Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works, that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our lord.  Amen”  (p. 814.)

It echoes a prayer used on Wednesday in Easter week:  “O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work” (p 223.)   

The phrase also shows up in the Prayer for the whole state of Christ’s Church and the world:  “Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold your gracious hand in all your works, that, rejoicing in your whole creation, they may honor you with their substance, and be faithful stewards of your bounty” (p. 329).

When we are confronting problems—be they illness, the death of loved ones, old age, making ends meet, or just plain sadness and depression—it is easy to focus on life’s nasty bits and not see the good stuff.  And focusing on the nasty bits has an inevitable effect:  we lose our connection with God, our trust and faith.    All of these prayers recognize the essential truth that in order to serve with gladness, rejoice in creation, be generous in service and giving, and find joy in the Eucharist, we need to have eyes open to the grace of the hand of God in our lives.   Praying that God open our eyes helps.  Looking at the beauty of creation helps.  Then intentionally going out to look for the beauty about us changes our perceptions. 

The old gospel tune “Count your blessings,” a favorite of my father, puts it in this simple way: 

“When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done…

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.” 

Lancelot Andrewes put it more comprehensively this way: 

“Open thou mine eyes and I shall see;
Incline my heart and I shall desire;
Order my steps and I shall walk
In the ways of thy commandments.
O Lord God, be thou to me a God
And beside thee let there be none else,
No other, naught else with thee.
Vouchsafe to me to worship thee and serve thee
According to thy commandments
In truth of spirit, in reverence of body,
In blessings of lips,
In private and in public.” 

Grace and peace. 

Fr. Tony+