Most of us have never been blind or seeing-impaired (except for needing glasses), so how can we relate to today’s gospel of the blind man (Joh 9:1-41)?
The story of the “man blind from birth” is the story of every Christian. We’re all spiritually blind until Jesus comes into our lives. If we respond to his initial gift of faith, and celebrate that free gift with the ritual and sacrament of Baptism, then our “spiritual blindness” yields to “spiritual light,” as Christ comes to dwell within us.
Others may delude themselves into thinking they can “see,”- that they have the whole truth, just like the Pharisees in the gospel, and just like those who willingly compromise true faith in our own society. However, only Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life!
The gospel speaks of the “Pool of Siloam,” and the “blind man” is asked to wash himself in that healing water. “Siloam” means “Sent,” or the “One Sent.” Jesus himself was the One Sent by God to save us and to heal us (John 3:16ff). It is only in Jesus - our saving and life giving water - that we find our newborn eyesight. This spiritual eyesight comes with our Baptism, and also yields a baptismal responsibility to proclaim the news of the Healer and his Healing Power.
However, there’s a risk in being a true follower of Jesus. It’s the risk of being teased and rejected from the social world around us. The Community of St. John and other early Christian communities experienced this rejection, and rejoiced in sharing in the very life of Christ!
Since sin is universal, those who pretend that they don’t need saving help are “blind” to themselves. Jesus is the truth and the light, and his true followers won’t remain in darkness. During Lent we should ensure our consciences are formed properly so that they recognise the universal truths taught by the Church Magisterium (the Pope and the
The story of the “man blind from birth” is the story of every Christian. We’re all spiritually blind until Jesus comes into our lives. If we respond to his initial gift of faith, and celebrate that free gift with the ritual and sacrament of Baptism, then our “spiritual blindness” yields to “spiritual light,” as Christ comes to dwell within us.
Others may delude themselves into thinking they can “see,”- that they have the whole truth, just like the Pharisees in the gospel, and just like those who willingly compromise true faith in our own society. However, only Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life!
The gospel speaks of the “Pool of Siloam,” and the “blind man” is asked to wash himself in that healing water. “Siloam” means “Sent,” or the “One Sent.” Jesus himself was the One Sent by God to save us and to heal us (John 3:16ff). It is only in Jesus - our saving and life giving water - that we find our newborn eyesight. This spiritual eyesight comes with our Baptism, and also yields a baptismal responsibility to proclaim the news of the Healer and his Healing Power.
However, there’s a risk in being a true follower of Jesus. It’s the risk of being teased and rejected from the social world around us. The Community of St. John and other early Christian communities experienced this rejection, and rejoiced in sharing in the very life of Christ!
Since sin is universal, those who pretend that they don’t need saving help are “blind” to themselves. Jesus is the truth and the light, and his true followers won’t remain in darkness. During Lent we should ensure our consciences are formed properly so that they recognise the universal truths taught by the Church Magisterium (the Pope and the
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