I am not blind. Yet, if today I became blind, how would I take it? How would any of us react if suddenly we were cut off from something so familiar and natural?
Many would feel they were suddenly all alone, suddenly despondent, and suddenly isolated from the familiar. Many have been blinded by the isolation and quarantine this pandemic requires of us. Especially when it is happening during lent, the time of preparation for Easter.
We are told about a little about this isolation in the Gospel today. Jesus and his disciple came upon a man blind from birth, the disciples ask Jesus who has sinned that he was born blind?
Jesus said, neither he nor his parent have sinned, it is so the works of the LORD can be made visible through him. Friends, think about those words.
In this time of fear and anxiety this illness has brought to so many - Politicians are pointing fingers. Countries are pointing fingers. You have sinned. You have sinned. You have sinned. As Christina believers, we know that God, the Father who sent the Son, Christ Jesus, is not vengeful; but, He is looking to us to make the works of the LORD visible in the world.
In the past few days, I have seen stories of priest carrying a monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament about in their community, praying for the safety and protection of their community and all the people: In Louisiana, New York, and all across our country and countries across the world. In the past few weeks, I see priests posting masses on Facebook and YouTube. I see reports from all across the world of priests and religious putting themselves in peril ministering to the sick and dying.
I see the works of the LORD in the Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals caring for the sick. They need the protective equipment and they need prayer. Many armed themselves with prayer and ask for our prayers. I see the works of the LORD in the ministries in our community, sharing Christ’s love in little ways that are so necessary.
I see because of Jesus’ words, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus spat on the ground, made some clay, and smeared it on the blind man’s eyes. He told him to go and wash in the fountain of Siloam (which means Sent). Today, Jesus sends us into the world to bring the light of Christ to those who are having difficulty seeing. Just as Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen one to lead the people of Israel, we have been anointed by baptism. That baptism washed away the blindness. By our baptism we are sent.
In this time of darkness, we have the light of Christ. We are sent with that light in us..
The man born blind said to the Pharisee “he opened my eyes. And they threw him out.” The truly blind were those who would not see the truth about Jesus. It is true even today. During this many will cry LORD, LORD. But, after, the world is still going to throw us out. For some, eyes will be opened. Eyes will be opened by our faith, our prayers, our little acts of love, and sharing which is the works of the LORD made visible in the world..
I am not blind. But, if today I became blind I still have the light of the world.
Wash your hands, pray, and ask for forgiveness. Make an act of spiritual communion. Share the light of Christ.
Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel to those around you by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen
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