The Gospel of John 9:1-41 is an amazing reading outlining the encounter of a man born blind and the blindness of the Pharisees. Here are just a few lessons we can learn from this beautiful story of faith and those who are blinded by hardness of hearts.
Suffering is from Sin
Back in Jesus’ time, people believed the ‘sins of the parents’ were the cause of physical punishment. While sin can cause physical injury (for example, armed robbery where someone gets shot), Jesus says the man was born blind because his blindness has a purpose. Suffering happens to us all, but how we use that suffering may help bring others closer to God.
Jesus is the Light of the World
Here, Jesus proclaims He is our light. Again, in reference to blindness, we’ve all tried to walk in a dark room at night, hoping to not stub our toe, or run into the wall. People before Jesus literally walked in darkness, and now that Jesus is no longer with us on Earth, we again are in darkness. We need to find the Light – in the Eucharist.
Jesus restores the Suffering in the same way God created man
Our pastor spoke on this during his Homily – Jesus formed clay with dirt and his saliva in the same manner the way Adam was created from the clay. What a beautiful parallel of creation between Father and Son.
Young Faith of the Blind Man
Ok – so this guy is blind from birth, some guy spreads clay on his eyes and tells him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. What? Do you think he found his own way there or did someone help him? Did he question what Jesus was doing or have literal blind faith that this would heal him? So many questions I would want to ask this man, but he probably just figured, he’s already blind, might as well see what happens (pun intended).
Questions of the Neighbors
So now, his friends who’ve known him his entire life can’t believe he can see. Some say he’s a look-a-like, some say it is him. Have you ever known someone who was one way and came back completely changed? I know I have and it’s wonderful. Don’t deny or doubt if someone has come to know and love Jesus, rejoice with them, that they can now see the Light, literally.
Where is Jesus?
This question actually made me laugh a little in Mass this week. This blind guy only heard Jesus’ voice and felt His hands on his eyes, he had no idea who Jesus was or what He looked like.
Blind Pharisees
So the neighbors bring the man to the Pharisees, and a new detail is added – Jesus worked a miracle on the Sabbath! Gasp. They ask the man how he sees, and he replies, and instead of being astounded by the miraculous healing, they debate the Healer is sinful because he healed on the Sabbath. Crazy, right? The formerly blind man is asked who he thinks Jesus is – “He’s a prophet” Getting warmer….
Blind Jews
Now John writes that the Jews did not believe (more blindness) and needed proof of who this person is and if he really wasn’t blind at birth, so the summon his parents. Now I would have been disappointed if these were my parents, because of celebrating his new found sight, they say he is their son, but were too afraid defend him. Gee thanks Mom and Dad, seriously.
Defending Faith
So a second time, he is questions about his blindness, sight and the man who healed him. He again didn’t see Jesus when he was healed, so he testifies what he knows, “I was blind and now I see.” Sometimes, we don’t always how to explain our faith, but we just KNOW that they have seen the Light. We all have our own testimonies – whether you are a cradle Catholic and still love Jesus, or actually were called into the Faith. Be sure to share yours with others.
Questioning the Faith of Others
Here again, being questioned, the doubters still can’t believe that that the Man miraculously healed the blind man, and because they could not see past the fact that he performed the miracle on the Sabbath, still accusing Him of being a sinner for doing so. Oh what blindness they have. But have you ever questioned the faith of someone else? Wondered if what they said was actually true testimony? We all have our own path, be careful to not doubt what they say as true.
Seeds of Faith Grow
So after being questioned again, the (un)blind man gives a beautiful testimony. Even he doesn’t understand why he is being questioned and reasons that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if you are a follower of God, God listens. So even at the very minimum he proofs that Jesus is a man of God. But then he goes on; have you ever heard of someone being born blind being healed and now can see? Really? You don’t see the miracle there? Yep, he was thrown out for posing such a question.
Jesus Saves the Day
Ok so after all of that back and forth, Jesus comes back to the (un)blind man and asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” This one got me curious, because I would have thought the (un)blind man would have recognized His voice, but he asks, ‘Who is he?” Of course Jesus reveals Himself to him, and he worships our Lord. Jesus teaches that he came into the world to that “those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” Jesus wasn’t actually making the Pharisees blind other than pointing out their own spiritual blindness being so obsessed by the Law that they couldn’t even recognized the One who came to save them from that law. And because they were so unwilling to see what was before them, they remained in that blindness and sin.
Jesus tells us so many times that the what the world thinks is wise, is foolery and what the world thinks is foolishness is true wisdom. Don’t allow this world to fool you, but open your eyes and see Jesus for who He is: The Light of the World, Son of God, sent to save us from our spiritual blindness and sin – no matter what day He opens your eyes. Praise be to God.