Fourth Sunday of Lent
Dear friends,
The Lenten journey has taken us to the Sunday of “Joy” or “Laetare” Sunday. In the midst of the Lenten austerity our Mother Church wants us to remember that the essence of christianity is spiritual Joy. But what is the profound reason for this joy? Today’s Gospel in which Jesus heals a man blind from birth tells us. The question which the Lord Jesus asks the blind man is the high point of the story: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn 9:35). The man recognizes the sign (healing of his blindness) worked by Jesus and he passes from the light of his eyes to the light of faith: “Lord, I believe!” (Jn 9:38).
The blind man, just like us, as a simple and sincere person gradually completes the journey of faith. In the beginning he thinks of Jesus as a “man” among others, then he considers him a “prophet” and finally his eyes are opened and he proclaims him “Lord”. Just like us, the healed blind man has to grow gradually in his faith. And his faith grows through facing strong opposition: the bitter Pharisees, the crowd and even his own parents. Just like him, sometimes you and I can feel alone in our faith… but the Lord is trying us, strengthening our relationship with Him.
Today we are invited to recognize that we too are born “blind” because of original sin, and that we need to rekindle His flame! With the eyes of your heart you will see that you are not alone, but that you live in a community of beloved sinners, beloved blind people being permanently healed.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Remi Morales, SCV