The Gospel today begins with “As Jesus passed by.” It then begins John’s story of Jesus healing the man born blind. Often the Gospels follow each other in chronological order, so we might be inclined to think this event happened soon after Jesus converted a village through a conversation with the woman at the well.
Not so. Two years have passed. This event takes place in Jerusalem during the third year of Jesus’ public ministry. He is in Jerusalem for the Festival of Booths in the fall before his crucifixion some six months later. The sparring Jesus had done with the Pharisees at the time of his walk through Samaria has grown into rigorous debate and growing rejection of him and his proclamations about God.
The theme today is one that began in Matthew with the Sermon on the Mount: “I am the Light of the world.” IF Jesus IS the Light of the world, then we see things differently when “Jesus passes by.” We are at midpoint in Lent. Mother Church knows that about now us sinners are often about ready to “see the light” of where God seeks to have us grow this year. The question for us to ask ourselves today is, “Am I ready for the grace that God wants to give?”
Psalm 23: Grace and Light of Steady Trust
Psalm 23 is such a comforting psalm. We can let God be in charge. We can let him decide where we go, what we do, and how we do it. We can trust God to give us what we need to face life at this moment. This psalm and this way of trusting God—is it the “Light” God is giving us this Lent?
Ephesians 5:8-14 Grace to Renounce
“Renounce Pagan Ways” is the title of this section of Ephesians in my RSV Didache Bible. Paul contrasts some ways of darkness with the Light of Christ. Here he urges us, “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them.” Even though we are mostly children of the Light, about now in Lent it is common for us sinners to discover something we were hiding within, something that is not compatible with the Light of Christ. It might be a sneaky sin like gossip or envy—or a sexual practice that in internal conversation seems OK (but it is outside Church teaching). It could be something about a relationship. It could be the need of offer someone forgiveness.
Ephesians reminds us that life is BETTER when we do it God’s way. A life of virtue is a life open to ALL the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How’s your fruit crop? If it isn’t as bountiful as you would wish, perhaps it is time to heed, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Grace of a Call
This little snippet of the story of the people of Israel reminds us that sometimes, in unexpected ways, God blesses us with a call to something new or, in the middle of our ordinary chores, the Holy Spirit “rushes on” us. Rushes. Pours out, like a holy oil. We are anointed, filled, transformed without even working at it very hard. We are blessed. David was just out doing what he was supposed to do when Samuel “passed by,” stopped and made ready to anoint him king. Until that anointing, David was simply “a ruddy, handsome youth,” who was already a good shepherd, but in no way a king.
God can anoint in all kinds of ways: preparations for a sacrament; a renewal of love for the Eucharist or Confession; a request to be on a committee or begin a Bible study; a need for more intense attention to a family member; a new friendship—the list goes on. Is God changing your life this Lent by calling you to something new?
Amazing Grace John 9:1-41
What a fascinating story in the Gospel! Jesus “passes by” and sees a blind beggar. The man has always been blind. He does not even ask to be healed. He is a topic of a theological debate between Jesus and his disciples. It was the common belief that something awful had a past sin at its root. Jesus says today, “Not necessarily.” Some bad things are there so God can use them to create goodness. That was true of Jesus’ Passion. It was true of the woman at the well last week. It is true this week in the story of the man blind from birth.
The man does not ask for healing, but he receives and appreciates it. It complicates his life, as the Jewish leaders use it to draw him into the debates they’ve been having with Jesus in John 7 and 8. In many ways this man was like Simon of Cyrene. Without intending it, he enters into major drama as a main character. The larger drama changes his life. He stands up for Jesus. Even his parents don’t stand up for him. His miraculous healing is labeled as a work of demons. Interestingly, when things get bad for him, Jesus AGAIN seeks him out. This time Jesus seeks to heal and nurture his soul. “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” Jesus asks. The man answers yes. Then Jesus tells him the importance of his role, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
I can see some of myself in every character in this reading. Jesus passes by and gives me vision to understand people, events, Scripture, and Magisterium. Sometimes that vision complicates my life with people who judge or reject me. I can also be the man’s parents who are afraid for their place in the community. They miss the wonder and beauty of the miracle because of their fear. And yes, from time to time, I can be the judging, doubting Pharisees. It comes with this thought: “This doesn’t look like it is of God as I understand the ways of God to be. God surely sees what I see, so my perspective is right.”
Applications
So, now, the nitty-gritty: If Jesus is passing by you, for you to use the readings today as an examination of conscience to prepare for confession, what will you confess to God?
If Jesus is passing by you and saying, “Come follow me” in some active loving ministry to family, friend, or world, what will become new in your life?
Prayer: (Maybe sing or listen to it)
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught by heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved! How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come! Tis grace that kept me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me! His Word my hope secures. He will my life and portion be, as long as life endures. When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun! We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, then when we’d first begun.”
Lord, do not pass me by without effect today. Give me the exact amazing grace you would have for me this Lent.
