Introduction: Faith: Journey from Darkness to Light

This Sunday is traditionally called, “Laetare Sunday,” a name from the first few words of the Latin Entrance (Introit) to the Mass of the day – “Laetare Jersusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem). We, the Church worldwide, rejoice because we can begin to see on the horizon the great feast day of the Resurrection – only three weeks away. Rejoice, the Lord comes – the Risen Christ. We also continue our Gospel readings from John, who highlights during these last weeks in Lent the dignity, power, and majesty of Jesus as he faces his humanity: suffering and death.

This Sundays’ Gospel story has a simple beginning: Jesus heals the blind man in the style of a prophet, applying mud and saliva in the man’s eyes. This was a common ancient remedy, for people in those days believed that saliva could heal - as a kind of antibiotic. And by using mud, Jesus recalled to those present how God used mud to create Adam, the first man. The implication is clear: In healing the blind man, Jesus is making/creating a new person.

In your faith journey, how do you envision yourself as a new creation? In which ways?

After smearing (anointing?) his eyes, Jesus tells him to wash in the Pool of Siloam – which loosely means “sent.” Jesus, of course, is the one who is “sent,” indicating that Jesus has the power to open human eyes to the truth – and to see clearly.

Where is God sending you? Are you responding?

However, what seems to be a seemingly under stated miracle in today’s Gospel soon shifts into a profound  account of faith seeking understanding (the blind man) and, simultaneously, an example of ignorance seeking further  entrenchment (the religious leaders). 

Theology is “faith seeking understanding.” Where do you seek understanding on your faith journey?

What follows is a lengthy barrage of questions and shifting tactics from the religious leaders – that reads like a trial scene! 

People first question whether the man was actually blind. Then a tremendous controversy erupts among the religious leaders that Jesus performed the healing on the Sabbath. This is followed by the parents being quizzed. Then, fearing their own authority and power, the leaders “threw” the blind man out. Sadly, the blind man is ridiculed, called one born in sin, and expelled from their presence. 

Are there people or groups of people who do not feel welcome in our parish? Name them.

Jesus seeks and finds the healed man and asks him: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” When the man asks who is he, Jesus continues: “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” The man responds with an act of faith: “I do believe, Lord.” His journey has been from blindness to sight – and from unbelief to faith. What an incredible story! Let this be our prayer today: “Lord, that I may see!”

I would invite you to read and ponder the words from the Gospel of John 9:1-38.

What word or words caught your attention?
What in this passage comforted/challenged you?

Further Questions and Reflections:

“Lord, that I may see.” What has been the cost of believing in Jesus? Have you ever been “driven out” for what you believe?

Do you ever consider in what ways you are still blind? What or whom you are not seeing?

Ponder: Lord, there have been times when I was lost and then found, blind and then could see. I remember when I groped, stumbled, and was unsure of my direction. Thank you for being Light.

“Who is he, Lord, that I might believe in him.” How would you describe Jesus to someone who does not know him?



                                               

Deacon David

Deacon David Suley
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church
Silver Spring, Maryland

Published with Permission

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