Fourth Sunday of Lent

1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A/EPH 5:8-14/JN 9:1-41

In John’s Gospel Jesus reveals that he listens to us in our sufferings, knows our desires, and wants us to be fully healed. “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.” 

A miracle occurs: a blind man is healed physically of his blindness. At that time physical impairments, such as blindness, were considered a punishment from God and were just grounds to keep an individual isolated from the rest of society. Jesus knows the sufferings of the blind man and that he wishes to no longer be “separate.” In his compassion, Jesus listens and gives him sight. 

However, the more profound miracle at play within this reading is the spiritual renewal of the blind man: “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. The blind man becomes blind no more, both in his physical and spiritual capacities. Because this man was open to the truth, the darkness gave way to the Light and his spiritual wounds were also healed. 

Jesus works within us in this very same way. He meets us in our suffering and heals the wounds on the surface and those in the depths of our hearts. So I encourage you to reflect: how can we allow our Lord to meet us in our suffering and heal us this Lent? How can we open ourselves more fully to his compassion and power so that we may confidently respond “I do believe Lord”?

 

Written by a Center for Well-Being Staff Member