My dear Friends in Christ,
The Readings for this 4th Sunday of Lent are about sight and blindness. The First Reading is the story of the choosing of David as God’s anointed one. Samuel is told that God does not see us as we do. The Second Reading is a reminder that we must live in the light, not in darkness. And in the Gospel is the story of the man born blind, whom Jesus cured. Jesus cures this man with spittle and mud. Why is this so important to the miraculous aspect of this healing? In using ordinary saliva and dirt to heal the man, Jesus shows His divine power and authority over creation. The use of spit and dirt, which were considered unclean in Jewish culture, further emphasizes Jesus’ ability to transform and sanctify all things. This man lived in darkness and longed to see the light. This leads to many theological debates regarding sin and suffering. When we sin, we suffer and live in the darkness. When we are reconciled and are sorry for our sins, we live in the light. In Jewish culture, it was believed that physical disabilities were the result of sin, either of the individual or their parents. However, Jesus challenges this view by stating that the man’s blindness was not caused by sin, but rather was an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed. To the blind man, Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, a title that points to His divinity. The blind man stands for all humanity. “Born totally in sin,” He is made a new creation by the saving power of Christ.
May God Bless You All,
Father John