1 Samuel 16:1b- 7, 10-11a
Ephesians 5: 8=14
John 9: 1-41
The only thing worse than being blind, is being blind – and not knowing it.
The Gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Lent features a man who was blind from birth. This unnamed man was well aware of his blindness, and he was keenly impacted by the ever present challenges of being sightless: marginalization, poverty, vulnerability, insecurity, ie. a daily struggle just to hang on to life.
The Gospel informs us that the blind man’s encounter with Jesus, the Light of the World,
was life changing for him. The story goes on to tell us that he also encountered the curious,
doubting townspeople, the threatened, skeptical Pharisees, and his bewildered, fearful parents.
These people were unable to understand the fact that the man born blind was given sight.
The newly sighted man was not to be silenced. To those who were blinded by doubt, skepticism,
and fear, he boldly proclaimed” One thing I do know is that I was blind, and now I see.”
To Jesus , who restored his sight, his dignity, and his life, he confidently confessed:
“I do believe Lord”, and then with humble gratitude, “he worshipped Him”.
This Gospel, this entire Lenten Season can give us the opportunity to allow Jesus to restore our sight,
our dignity, and our very life. Through our faithfulness to prayer, sacrifice, and extending ourselves to those in need, Jesus will work in and through us. He will open our eyes to see the truth. He will expose our unfounded doubts. He will soften our hearts hardened by skepticism. He will break open the chains of fear that prevent our experiencing his love for us, and our expressing that love to others.
Like the blind man who was given not only sight, but also new life, Jesus will open our mouths to proclaim: “Yes, Lord, I do believe, and He will soften our hard hearts and our stiff necks empowering us to humbly, and gratefully bow down and worship the Lord of Light and Life!
Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open this Lent!
Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.