4th Sunday of Lent, The Second Scrutiny Yr. A
Ref. John 9:1-41 Love in Action Sun. 3-30-25 8:30a Mass Dcn. Bill Kenney
Today we read in our Gospel from St. John the healing of the blind man. It is a story demonstrating Jesus’ powerful works and love in action. It is a parable of profound teaching and illumination, for Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world”. What exactly does that mean?
On this, the second Scrutiny Sunday of our OCIA journey of faith, our Elect can readily associate themselves with the blind man. The healing is a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and the ability to see the truth, represented by Jesus as the "light of the world". It is a saving, life-giving light; a light guiding our path of faith by the Holy Spirit that we too, as our reading from 1 Samuel says, “…may see beyond appearances to what the Lord sees in our heart.”
As the “light of the world”, Jesus manifests his divine light through his actions. In the Gospel, the blind man receives a double gift of literal light and the light of faith. Jesus could have just said the word and the man would have gained his sight. What’s key here are the saving actions taken. He spat, made clay, rubbed it in his eyes, and sent him to be washed clean. These actions are a type of the Creation narrative in Genesis and the cleansing waters of baptism. These actions demonstrate a process, an intentional purpose to gain the trust and belief in the healing power and love of God. The intensity of the light of Christ in our lives helps us to discern and understand God’s will for us and leads us to take action, to do his work. This is certainly the journey of our Elect; a journey we are all called to embark upon.
We are all directed, as Jesus told and demonstrated to his disciples, “…to do the works of [God]”. As disciples of Christ, we are to discern our spiritual gifts to be used in loving service to others. - to positively affect the lives of our brothers and sisters. Fr. Mike Schmitz tells us, “Generosity is love in action.” Through our generous actions we share in and give the light of Christ.
This blessed light can, however, be dimmed by our sinfulness. At times we don’t see clearly, clouded by acts of selfishness and pride and other sins. Through the darkness of our sin, we are blinded to the light of Christ in our lives and lose the ability to do God’s work. Like the misguided Pharisees, we don’t notice the needs of others. We can’t see past the beam in our own eyes in order to help others. We bypass or make excuses to make a difference in people’s lives. Missed opportunities afforded us to help others is a blindness to God’s divine plan and his purpose for us as Christ’s disciples to do his work. We are healed of our periodic spiritual blindness through the sacrament of Reconciliation. This Lent especially, receive this sacrament. Just as the blind man, our sight can be restored to see and live God’s plan and purpose for us. We can once again see clearly the journey we are all on to grow in love and faith in our Lord and neighbor.
In the end, the blind man said, “…’I do believe, Lord,’ and he worshiped him.” His eyes were opened to his salvation in Christ and, ironically, he blindly follows Jesus in all humility, trust, and obedience as a faithful disciple. Let this Gospel message be a lesson to do the same in our lives.
Lord Jesus, as we partake of your true presence in the Eucharist; as we bask in the joy of your light like the blind man whose sight you restored, may your Elect and all your faithful prove to be steadfast and fearless witnesses to the faith and generously do the work of your holy will, for the glory of God.