Mar
02
2008
By Anonymous (not verified)
March 2 - The Fourth Sunday of Lent
Readings: 1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41,
or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
"[The man born blind] said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped [Jesus]." Jn 9:38
In your life, how has God called you to belief in His Son, Jesus Christ? Was it a gradual process through growing up in the Catholic faith and then being confirmed as a teenager? Or did something fairly dramatic happen that made you aware of God's loving presence?
We witness in today's Gospel the dramatic conversion of a man born blind who is a beggar. In a short time, he goes from being physically healed of blindness to the light of faith in Jesus as his Lord and God. Notice how, in the story, Jesus progressively reveals Himself as He takes the initiative and invites this man to open his eyes in faith to who He is. First, we learn that Jesus "saw" this blind man (Jn 9:1). When Jesus sees people, it often implies that He sees possibilities in them for growing in faith (see Jn 1:47-48, 50).
Next, Jesus announces that He is the Light of the world and then heals this man born blind who had only known physical darkness. Finally, after the man is cast out of the synagogue, Jesus meets up with him again and reveals to
him that He, Jesus, is the Son of Man, the Messiah. For his part, the blind man progressively discovers the light of faith. When questioned by his neighbors about the healing, he calls Jesus "the man" who had opened his eyes (9:11). Then, in questioning before the Pharisees in the local synagogue, he goes further stating that Jesus is a "prophet" (9:17). The second time he is interrogated by the Pharisees, he even stands up for his belief in Jesus and is cast out of the synagogue.
Finally, when he encounters Jesus after facing persecution for Him in the synagogue, the man believes in Jesus and worships Him. Now, his spiritual eyes are fully open. He sees truly, both physically and spiritually.
Lord Jesus, I see how You have led me to faith in You. Help me to share
with others what You have done in my life. Amen.
Scripture
Jn 1:4-13
Jn 4:28-29
Jn 8:12
Catechism
748, 1426-28
Diary of St. Faustina
27, 157, 205
Readings: 1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41,
or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
"[The man born blind] said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped [Jesus]." Jn 9:38
In your life, how has God called you to belief in His Son, Jesus Christ? Was it a gradual process through growing up in the Catholic faith and then being confirmed as a teenager? Or did something fairly dramatic happen that made you aware of God's loving presence?
We witness in today's Gospel the dramatic conversion of a man born blind who is a beggar. In a short time, he goes from being physically healed of blindness to the light of faith in Jesus as his Lord and God. Notice how, in the story, Jesus progressively reveals Himself as He takes the initiative and invites this man to open his eyes in faith to who He is. First, we learn that Jesus "saw" this blind man (Jn 9:1). When Jesus sees people, it often implies that He sees possibilities in them for growing in faith (see Jn 1:47-48, 50).
Next, Jesus announces that He is the Light of the world and then heals this man born blind who had only known physical darkness. Finally, after the man is cast out of the synagogue, Jesus meets up with him again and reveals to
him that He, Jesus, is the Son of Man, the Messiah. For his part, the blind man progressively discovers the light of faith. When questioned by his neighbors about the healing, he calls Jesus "the man" who had opened his eyes (9:11). Then, in questioning before the Pharisees in the local synagogue, he goes further stating that Jesus is a "prophet" (9:17). The second time he is interrogated by the Pharisees, he even stands up for his belief in Jesus and is cast out of the synagogue.
Finally, when he encounters Jesus after facing persecution for Him in the synagogue, the man believes in Jesus and worships Him. Now, his spiritual eyes are fully open. He sees truly, both physically and spiritually.
Lord Jesus, I see how You have led me to faith in You. Help me to share
with others what You have done in my life. Amen.
Scripture
Jn 1:4-13
Jn 4:28-29
Jn 8:12
Catechism
748, 1426-28
Diary of St. Faustina
27, 157, 205
agGB