Enlightening the eyes

Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
3 April 2011
St. Hilary’s, Chicago

http://www.usccb.org/nab/040311.shtml

Throughout the Gospels we have many stories about Jesus performing miracles. He heals lepers, multiplies loaves and fishes, walks on water. What makes today’s story different? Why do we have a long exposé of one man who was born blind, whom Jesus healed?

This blind man, perhaps, teaches us something very important – very valuable – about being a disciple of Christ. The story begins with his disciples asking him whose sin caused this man to be born blind. They saw the blindness as a result of sin, but couldn’t understand how he could have sinned from birth or why his parents’ sin would be punished in him. They cannot see that their own dilemma – their own thought structure – has restricted them from the vision which God has, which is to show God’s glory. This man was born blind precisely so that Christ could come to him and give him sight. And, in doing so, not just this man, but all the others with him could also come to see.

So, even his disciples are blind, as proven in their first question. They are trying to see by the light of the world – that is, of human convention. But, Jesus says “I am the light of the world; whoever sees by me shall not stumble in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

The man is healed. Not only is his physical sight restored, but his spiritual sight, for the first thing he can see is Christ.

Now, this story gets entirely ridiculous. His neighbors and those who used to see him begging were wondering if this is the same man. They start arguing among themselves whether he is the same man or not. They knew him. They know what he looks like. Common sense would indicate that this is the same man. But, they argue. Notice, they never ask him if he is the man, he simply tells them that he is. I imagine this happening like when a lady friend of yours goes to have her hair done in a new style, and people see her and wonder if she is the same person, but don’t ask her. Hearing them talking about her, she tells them “Yes, it’s me!”

But, that isn’t exactly what’s happening here. Something deeper, more sinister is going on. They want him to be blind. They’re comfortable with him being blind. Him being able to see is somehow dangerous for them. It challenges them, their complacency, and what they know. So, rather than rejoicing with him, they question him. They take him to the Pharisees to essentially stand trial for being able to see.

The Pharisees, like the people who knew the man, like the disciples, were divided in their opinion. On one side, a man who had broken the Sabbath. On the other, a man who can do work no one else has ever done. They cannot break out of their own paradigm and see that “the Sabbath was made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath.” They cannot see, and so they are blind. They question him, but refuse to believe him. They try denying that he was ever blind. They question his sheepish parents. They try to get him to deny Christ, whom he has barely gotten to know. And, they can’t see the truth before their eyes.

Finally, the man who was blind but now can see points out to the Pharisees their own blindness. He says to them “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. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” It makes perfect sense. He was blind, now he can see. And, the Pharisees are so wrapped up in their own blindness that the light is too much for them. They return to the disciples’ original dilemma, accuse him of being born entirely in sin, and throw him out. In the end, they are so blind that they cannot see how blind they are.

How often are we like this? How often do we submit to what our society and culture tell us, and not see the light of the Gospel, shining from the teachings of Jesus Christ and his bride the Church? This Sunday is the day the Creed is given to those who will be baptized and entering the Church at Easter. Had we given into worldly knowledge, seen things as the world did, this creed would never have been written, and the faith would have been lost. With eyes enlightened by Christ, we see waters poured over a person’s head and know they are being transformed into a Christian. We see bread and wine placed upon this altar and know it is transformed into the body and blood of Christ. We see all human life and know it is cherished and loved by God. And today, we share our faith with those with whom we will soon share the life given to us in God.

So, as we work in the world, as we hear news reports of people from the outside claiming to know what we believe and criticizing us for it, we must remember that they are in the darkness; they aren’t walking in the true light of the world – the light of Christ. We must make sure that we are in the light – through study of what the Church teaches – the Catechism and listening to Catholic media. We must proclaim what we truly believe, not be ashamed of it, and share it with others. We must always come back to Christ in the sacraments and in prayer. Only then, can we truly see.