Sunday, March 15, is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Mass readings: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 or John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38.
The man in today’s Gospel shows forth the stages of our Christian walk — out of darkness and into the beautiful light of Christ.
The text says: “As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.”
This man was physically blind, but on account of original sin, humanity had lost all spiritual vision. We could not see God or endure the light of his glory. In the present day, many people have no “vision” for their life. Others cannot see past the sufferings of this world. Still others have retreated into the material world and cannot see beyond it. Having diagnosed the problem, Jesus “smeared clay on his eyes, and said to him, ‘Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.’ So he went and washed and came back able to see.” This is a sign of baptism.
“How were your eyes opened?” the man was asked. He replied, “The man called Jesus.” “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” Although he is able to see, he does not yet see Jesus.
The account goes on to show the progress he makes, largely through persecution. The Pharisees fiercely interrogate him, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” Next, the Pharisees persecute his fearful parents. Afterward, they call him back and put him under oath and command him to say Jesus is a sinner. But he said, “If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” The result of all this discrimination is to deepen his vision of Jesus; at first, he sees him only as “the man called Jesus”; then he sees him as a prophet. Then he goes further and sees him as “from God.” He’s progressing from sight to insight. His ability to see, given to him in baptism, is now resulting in clearer vision. He has been thrown out of the synagogue, as many early Christians were. Now, cast aside and hated by the world, he is approached by the Lord, who says: “Do you believe in the Son of Man? … You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord.”
What happened next? As the text explains, “he worshiped him.” He sees — not only Jesus, but who Jesus is. Christ has fully enlightened this man. This is our journey, too — moving in stages to more perfectly know Jesus. One day we will see him face-to-face. But even before that time we are called to grow in faith by stages so that we see Jesus for who he is.