Expanding Our Vision: Seeing with Christ's Eyes

Today’s reflection centers on the theme of vision—what we see, how we see, and why we see the way we do. Each of us is shaped by our upbringing, experiences, and personal histories, which in turn influence not only our actions but also our sins and struggles. We tend to focus on certain things, sometimes to the exclusion of others, and this selective vision can blind us to the needs and dignity of those around us. The readings invite us to examine what we are consuming—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally—and to consider how our focus shapes our lives and our relationships with others.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a powerful illustration of this. The rich man’s vision is so narrow that he fails to see Lazarus as a person with dignity and need. Even in the afterlife, his perspective does not change; he still sees Lazarus only in terms of what Lazarus can do for him. This blindness is not just a personal failing but a spiritual one, rooted in a refusal to see with the eyes of Christ. The truth of God’s call to care for the poor and to recognize the suffering of others has been revealed through Moses, the prophets, and ultimately through Christ himself. Yet, as the story shows, even the greatest miracles cannot convince those who refuse to see.

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy offers a remedy: to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. These virtues help to broaden our vision, allowing us to see beyond our own desires and preoccupations. Sin often arises when our focus becomes too narrow, when we are consumed by our own needs and wants. The practices of our faith—prayer, the sacraments, and especially the Eucharist—are given to us to help us see more clearly, to open our hearts to the needs of others, and to align our vision with Christ’s.

As we gather in worship, we are invited to ask for the grace to see with new eyes, to recognize where our vision has become limited or self-centered, and to respond with greater love and compassion. The challenge is to allow Christ to expand our perspective, to see the dignity of every person, and to run the race of faith with perseverance and hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our vision is shaped by our backgrounds, experiences, and personal histories, which can both enrich and limit our perspective. Recognizing this helps us understand why we struggle with certain sins or patterns in our lives, and invites us to examine what we are truly focusing on day by day. [02:14]
• 2. The story of the rich man and Lazarus warns against spiritual blindness that comes from self-absorption. When we see others only in terms of what they can do for us, we fail to recognize their inherent dignity and miss the opportunity to respond to Christ present in the poor and suffering. [02:14]
• 3. God’s truth is not hidden; it is revealed through scripture, the prophets, and the lived experience of the Church. Yet, even the most extraordinary signs cannot convince a heart that refuses to see. True conversion requires a willingness to listen, to embrace, and to participate in the life of faith. [02:14]
• 4. Paul’s call to pursue virtues like righteousness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness is an invitation to expand our vision. These virtues help us to see beyond our own desires and to recognize the needs of others, opening us to the transforming grace of Christ. [05:55]
• 5. The practices of our faith—especially prayer and the Eucharist—are not just rituals, but means by which our vision is healed and expanded. By coming to worship, we ask for the grace to see with Christ’s eyes, to move beyond tunnel vision, and to respond to the world with compassion and hope. [05:55]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - Shaping of Our Vision
• [01:10] - The Influence of Upbringing and Experience
• [01:50] - Patterns of Sin and Selective Focus
• [02:14] - The Call to Care for the Poor
• [03:00] - The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus
• [03:45] - Spiritual Blindness and Self-Absorption
• [04:30] - The Power and Limits of Miracles
• [05:00] - The Role of Scripture and Prophets
• [05:20] - Paul’s Exhortation to Timothy
• [05:55] - Pursuing Virtue and Expanding Vision
• [06:30] - The Purpose of Prayer and Sacraments
• [07:00] - Asking for Christ’s Vision
• [07:30] - Responding with Compassion and Hope

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) – The Rich Man and Lazarus — > “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (ESV) — > “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Observation Questions

1. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, how does the rich man view Lazarus both during his life and after death? What does he ask Abraham to do?
2. According to the sermon, what are some reasons why our “vision” or focus in life can become narrow or self-centered? [02:14]
3. What virtues does Paul encourage Timothy to pursue, and how are these connected to the way we see others? [05:55]
4. What does Abraham say is already available to the rich man’s brothers to help them see the truth? Why is this significant?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus use the story of the rich man and Lazarus to talk about spiritual blindness? What does this story reveal about how we can miss the needs of others? [02:14]
2. The sermon says that even miracles cannot convince a heart that refuses to see. What does this suggest about the role of openness and willingness in spiritual growth? [02:14]
3. How might our upbringing, experiences, or personal history shape the way we see people around us, especially those who are suffering or in need? [02:14]
4. According to Paul’s words to Timothy, how do virtues like faith, love, and gentleness help us “see” differently? What might it look like to “fight the good fight of faith” in our daily lives? [05:55]

Application Questions

1. Think about your daily routine. Are there people you tend to overlook or ignore, like the rich man did with Lazarus? What is one step you could take this week to notice and respond to someone’s need? [02:14]
2. The sermon talks about “selective vision”—focusing on our own needs and missing the dignity of others. Can you identify an area in your life where your focus has become too narrow? What would it look like to ask Christ to expand your perspective in that area? [02:14]
3. Paul encourages us to pursue virtues like patience and gentleness. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you need to practice one of these virtues? What is one practical way you can do that this week? [05:55]
4. The sermon mentions that our faith practices—like prayer and the Eucharist—are meant to help us see more clearly. How might you approach prayer or worship differently this week, asking God to help you see with Christ’s eyes? [05:55]
5. The story of the rich man and Lazarus shows that knowing the truth is not enough if we refuse to act on it. Is there a truth or teaching from Scripture that you know but have been slow to put into practice? What is holding you back, and what is one step you can take to move forward? [02:14]
6. The sermon suggests that our struggles with sin are often connected to what we focus on. Is there a “favorite sin” or recurring struggle in your life that might be related to your vision or focus? What would it look like to shift your attention toward Christ in that area? [02:14]
7. As we gather in worship, we are invited to ask for the grace to see with new eyes. What is one specific prayer you can pray this week, asking God to help you see the dignity and needs of those around you? [05:55]