LENTEN JOURNEY WEEK 4: JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN

In this week’s Lenten reflection, Fr. Dom explains that the Gospel speaks of three kinds of blindness- physical, spiritual and selective. The Gospel of John (9:1) portrays physical blindness of a man since birth “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth”.  Contrary to the believe of many, here we see Jesus asserting that afflictions are not because of sin but rather God’s way of fulfilling a larger purpose “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Jn9:2-3.

Spiritual blindness is explicitly seen in the reaction of the Pharisees “Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” Jn9:16. Tragically, our faith is only on the surface, we practice the law and rituals of our religion but hardly grow deep in faith and holiness.  Jesus says “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” Jn9: 41.

Finally selective blindness is where we see the parents evading the questions by the Pharisees Jn 9: 22-23-His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him”.

Jesus heals the blind man signifying that He is the light of the world “I am in the world, I am the light of the world” Jn 9:5. With Jesus we can come out of the darkness and live in the light.