Daily Gospel Reflection for March 30, 2014

Today's Gospel: John 9:1-41

Blindness comes in many different forms; it’s not just from the physical lack of eyesight. One can be blind in their perception of another or a situation. Blindness cannot always be cured either. The Pharisees cannot see passed their own convictions and seem to be incurable in their blindness towards this blind man and the good that Jesus did, whereas the blind man was both cured of his physical and spiritual blindness. How you say? Through faith, trust, piety, and humble lack of self-pride. Pride is one of the worse sins that can be overlooked or misconstrued as being prejudiced for the good of something. Being proud of your children, or you track record at work is one thing, but being proud enough to stop learning, listening, and loving, that is quite a different thing all together.

The Pharisees are learned scholars; they’ve gone through a very ridged schooling for years and years. These scholars are looked upon as high-class dignitaries that have much to offer the community, but also much to be feared as well. They have a power to judge the citizens and keep them in line in their daily activities. Many, if not all of these people felt that they didn’t need to learn anymore, they were to teach, instruct, and dictate instead. They were blind to their own way of life. Never needing to grow, learn, and be open to those around them, they were stagnant and too proud to budge. So, when Jesus comes into the picture and does what He does best, they cannot see passed their own pride to see what was really happening. Never mind that Jesus was “working” on the Sabbath, what we now call Sunday, and a holy day of obligation. Never mind that Jesus cured the blind man of his physical handicap with a mere slathering of mud. Never mind that this blind man came to believe in one that was far greater than he or the Pharisees and told them so from the miracle performed on him. The Pharisees only saw what was broken according to the law, for the law was unbendable.

Being parents, our children teach us all the time. There’ve been many times that my husband and I sat at the kitchen table after the kids have gone to bed and talked about what we learned and/or had to change how we felt about something that happened or was said by one of our children. We have had to change, open our eyes and see a situation differently.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is telling us to open our eyes, to not let blindness keep us from the truth. We must be flexible and exercise charity, trust, and faith that God is in control.

Ponder:

In our day-to-day routines, can blindness be part of our makeup? Are there rules that we live by that cannot for any reason whatsoever, be broken? Despite what we know is true, are there no other truths that pop up from time to time that can and do change things?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, help me to see with my heart, not only with my eyes. Help me to see you in others and in all situation that cross my path daily. I love you and I trust in you. AMEN

Copyright 2014 Ebeth Weidner