Cycle A - Year II: 

30 March 2014: 4th Sunday of Lent

(Liturgical color: Rose or Violet)

John 9:1-41 (or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38)

To see in the light of Christ!

Perhaps, we all woke up this morning to behold the magnificent beauty of God's creation, and to celebrate life anew. Sometimes, though, we get so used to seeing the morning sun that there is the tendency to make a routine out of it. That means we may take things for granted. But what if we woke up one day in total darkness, because we lost the sense of sight? It would be unspeakable and horrible.

This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus and a man born blind. Our Lord heals the blind man and he is able to see. This is one of the most remarkable miracles of Jesus, which reveals the power and glory of God. But the Pharisees were critical of Jesus for performing the healing of the blind man during the Sabbath. The Jews kept the Sabbath holy.

Thus, this story on the healing of the blind man may also be said as the story of the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. Because while the blind man saw Jesus pretty clearly as a divine healer, the Pharisees were totally blind of who Jesus is.

In practical life, what is the message of Jesus' healing the man born blind to us today?

We ask ourselves, what is really worse: physical blindness or moral and spiritual blindness? There is moral and spiritual blindness when sin clouds the mind in darkness and closes the heart to God's love and truth. So that we deliberately choose to disobey God's laws over the sensual pleasures of humanity.

The Good News is that Jesus is ever ready to heal us and free us from the darkness of sin and deception by the evil one. The Lord offers us freedom from spiritual blindness due to sin and He restores us to wholeness of body, mind, soul and heart. For only in the light of God's truth can we see sin for what it really is, which is a rejection of God and opposition to His will.

The fourth Sunday of Lent is also called "Laetare" Sunday which means "Rejoice". This is similar to "Gaudete" Sunday of Advent. That is why the liturgical color is either rose or violet.

Let us end our reflection with this prayer: 

Lord Jesus, in your name the blind see, the lame walk, and the dead are raised to life. 

Come into our lives, especially during these most trying times in our worldly journey, and heal the wounds of our broken hearts. 

Give us the eyes of faith to see your glory and heart of courage to bring your glory in all we say and do. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all, and thank you for a moment with God. 

Ad Jesum per Mariam!