Daily Gospel Reflection for March 22, 2020

Today's Gospel: John 9:1-41 - 4th Sunday of Lent This lengthy Gospel offers a great deal to reflect upon. There is the man born blind who is healed by Jesus and then states that Jesus is a man from God. There are the Pharisees eager to condemn Jesus for violating the Sabbath by curing the man. There are the man’s parents who testify that this is, in fact, their son and that he was born blind, but who really don’t want to get involved. And then there is Jesus himself who heals the man, and speaks the key words, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 9:5); and then puts the Pharisees in their place. Who do you relate to in this story? Are you the healed blind man, eager to share the news of what God has done for you with all who will hear it? Are you one of the Pharisees, concerned more with the letter than the spirit of God’s law? Are you one of the man’s parents, willing to acknowledge that miracles have happened, but not wanting to speak about them or draw attention to yourself for fear of what someone might say about you? Which person do you think God is calling you to be? Jesus came to bring light to our world, to bring us out of our darkness. In some way, each one of us struggles in the dark. It might be a physical ailment, a mental anguish, or spiritual torment. In those times of darkness, we can lean on Jesus. We can look toward the light and pray for healing. He might not take away our cross, but He can help us to bear it. He can shine light into the deep recesses of our heart and give us peace.