Light from the Darkness

Sunday's Gospel (April 3, the 4th Sunday of Lent) is the story of the blind beggar (John 9).  Jesus approaches him, smears mud on his eyes, sends him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, and learns later that the man has been healed.  The Pharisees, believing the formerly blind man to be a sinner and Jesus to be a freud, refuse to accept that this healing was the work of God.  Now who's blind?   (Read the full text).

Searching, Seeking & Seeing - A Look Back
Usually, on Sundays we share "Homily Highlights."  In honor of the Searching, Seeking & Seeing Morning of Reflection hosted yesterday (Saturday), today's reflection will share of the wisdom from that event. Thanks, Fr. Cusick, for unpacking today's Gospel so beautifully for us.

 What I Heard...

• The Book of Genesis tells us that God "formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils and breath of life, so man became a living being" (Gen 1:7). Jesus is bringing about a new creation here, as the blind man's eyes are opened. 
• Jesus sought out the blind man twice:  once to smear mud on his eyes, and once to connect after the man was thrown out of the temple.  We often think to grow deeper spiritually, we have to do something, pray something, be something, etc.  The reality is that our God comes to us.  If we are attentive, we will experience it.
• Why is it that no one rejoiced in the man being able to see again, except the man himself?  The crowd is busy passing judgement, the parents are afraid, the Pharisees are convinced Jesus is a sinner and can do nothing righteous.  Sometimes, we lose perspective on the things that matter most. 

What does it mean for us today?
Remember the story of Genesis.  God literally brought forth light from darkness.  The work of creation is continuing in this encounter.  Our Good News is twofold:  First, God seeks us out. Second, God continues to bring forth light from darkness in our lives, each and every day.

Lent is a time to pause and reflect upon the ways God is reaching out to each of us, bringing light from the darkness.  Throughout this week, be attentive to the people and situations that reveal the Light of Christ to you.  Then, go out and share that Light with others.

Feel free to add your thoughts.  What does this say to you? Or... What did YOU hear - either at the Morning of Reflection, or at Mass on Sunday?

Dr. Kate DeVries (Associate Director) and Fr. John Cusick (Director) have worked together in the Young Adult Ministry Office for more than 20 years.   Over those years, there have been a great many experiences of moving from darkness to light!