“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)
Worship Link for Sunday March 8: https://youtu.be/BbMrz29OLv0
Worship: Sunday, March 15, 2026 10:45 AM; Fourth Sunday in Lent
Scripture to Ponder – Fourth Week of Lent
John 9:35–41 | Symbol: A Coin
Texts this week: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8–14; John 9:1–41
In John 9, Jesus meets a man who had been blind from birth. Though his eyes are opened, he is rejected by those who believe they already understand God best. When Jesus later finds him, he asks a simple question:
“Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35)
The man responds with humility and faith. But those who claimed spiritual certainty remain blind. Jesus says:
“I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” (John 9:39)
This week we hold the symbol of a coin.
A coin represents the economy of our world—trade, value, and power. Today we see nations competing through weapons, economic pressure, and trade wars. Fuel prices rise, the cost of living grows heavier, and ordinary people struggle more each day.
The question we must ask is simple: Who truly benefits?
Often, the answer is no one.
In this passage, the religious leaders believed they possessed the wealth of certainty. Their pride became their blindness. The healed man, however, had no status or authority—only humility. Because he was open, he was able to see what others could not.
Lent calls us to lament, confession, and realignment.
We lament the suffering and divisions of our world.
We confess the ways pride and power shape our choices.
And we return again to God’s way of justice and humility.
In God’s economy, value is measured differently:
Humility is richer than pride.
Peace is greater than power.
Compassion carries more weight than profit.
The healed man simply says, “Lord, I believe.” (John 9:38)
That confession reveals the true wealth of faith.
To ponder this week:
When you hold a coin, remember that the world measures value in wealth and power. Christ invites us into a different economy—one where humility opens our eyes and God’s grace realigns our lives.
Prayer
God of truth and mercy,
Open our eyes when pride blinds us.
Teach us to lament the suffering of the world
and to return to your ways.
Realign our hearts with your justice and peace,
so that we may walk as children of light.
Amen.
Trinity United Church 