As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this ma or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must Work the works of God who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see… “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:1-7, 25b
The man knew that he could see and he knew that it was because he did what Jesus told him to do. It was the neighbors, relatives, parents, and religious leaders that had a hard time dealing with the fact that this man could now see. Some felt that he hadn’t been blind; others questioned the fact that this was done on the Sabbath; still others wanted to have nothing to do with Jesus or the man for they were afraid. In the end the man expressed his belief in Jesus and the Pharisees were questioning their own blindness.
Jesus describes himself as “the light of the world.” He provides sight for a blind man and at the same time gave light to the darkness and questioning that surrounded this healing. Often we find ourselves in a mental or emotional darkness and it is through prayer, scripture, or conversation that we are able to see light and our sight is regained. Sometimes we cannot see those that are hurting and it is with God’s help that we become aware of the needs within our world. Our eyes, ears and hearts need to be open to “the light” given to us by Jesus
“Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Open my ears that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.”
Clara H. Scott
What is the “darkness” in my soul during this Lent? How can I open myself to see and hear the Spirit of God. I pray that God will shed some light on my inner turmoil just now and help me be open to God’s guidance and receptive to God’s indwelling Spirit in my heart.
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
