Blindness

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ( A )
Jn 9: 1-41


Blindness is one of life’s biggest burdens. It’s a dead-end deprivation, with a sting of sadness. Life for the blind person is an endless dark night in solitary confinement. Having stated clearly that the man’s disability had nothing to do with sin, Jesus mixed a paste, rubbed it on his eyes and restored his sight. His healing was instantaneous and he returned home to experience the world in a distinctively new way. All his life he had recognized people by their voices. Now, for the first time, he saw what human faces and hands looked like. It must have come as a surprise to him to realize that some of his neighbors his not wish him well of his cure. When the Pharisees brow-beat him and tried to force him into a denial that his sight had been restored, he quickly learned that there was more to sight than seeing the light of day. There is a deeper malady, a spiritual blindness which comes from closing the windows of the soul and putting up the shutters in order to keep out of Jesus who is the light of the world.

This gospel is for all time and every day. At a deeper level it reminds us that we were all born blind and groping in spiritual darkness until at baptism we began a journey of faith in the likeness of Christ. The life we received at baptism gives us the power to bring Christ to everything we do and to every person we meet. Light is symbol of life with Christ and darkness is the religious image for sinfulness, shameful deeds and unbelief. Each of us is meant to be a beacon of light showing others how to live and giving direction to their lives by our good example. It is an opportune time to reflect on how we are living out our baptismal commitment and see if Christ really counts and influences our behavior. If we are courteous and friendly in our dealings with our neighbors we can be certain that the light of Christ is being reflected through us.

Christ is asking us to look at our blind-spots because coming from darkness into light is not an easy journey. It takes time and requires patience because of the many pitfalls on the road. In spite of our best resolutions the light of Christ is inclined to grow dim within us. Jesus knows our weaknesses and is willing to help us provided we come to Him for healing. Having been called to walk as children of the light we must keep praying: “Lord, that I may see.”