“This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where He is from, yet he opened my eyes… If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.”
Our central theme for this graced Lenten time of reflection and teaching is living sacrificially. We explore the fact that sacrifice is covenantal. In our sacrifices we enhance the pre-existing relationship we have with God. We accept our agreement with God’s plan and rule, find joy in that, reinforce our acceptance of it, and tear away at the things that stand in the way of a deeper union with God.
Tearing away is what today’s gospel is all about. In later years, St. Paul would reinforce that saying: Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
What we once were is changed by each of us encountering Jesus. No matter how it happened, we opened ourselves to His presence. We accepted what He offers us, His wonderful promises, and the changes He brought to us.
Jesus has called each of us out of darkness. He opened our eyes and ears to life in His Kingdom. He set our feet in motion to do the work of the Kingdom.
The gospel shows the dichotomy of those open to the tearing away of darkness and those that cling to darkness.
Jesus asks the blind man, blind from birth, if he would be healed. He answered yes – key to what we must do in those areas of our lives where we are blind. He heals him and watches his journey through the travails of the court of the Pharisees.
The Pharisees, seeing this amazing event, and getting witness testimony about it, would not allow their darkness to be torn away. They could see but would not see. They would not sacrifice their comfortable and staid lives for the Savior of their souls and the world.
The man’s parents unfortunately would not sacrifice their societal comfort for sight. The formerly blind man, with nothing to lose (aren’t we all in that situation), turns back to Jesus and follows Him saying: “I do believe, Lord.” Lord, this Lent, help us tear away our blindnesses and to fully believe.
