4th Sunday of Lent Year A: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Theme: ARE WE ALSO BLIND?

(John 9: 1–41)

Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is traditionally known as the Laetare Sunday. Laetare is the Latin word for “Rejoice.” It is derived from the entrance antiphon of today, which was taken from Isaiah 66:10–11. It reads: “Rejoice Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful, all you who were in mourning…”

Rejoicing in Lent? Rejoicing during the commemoration of the sufferings of Christ? Rejoice in this trying time? God says: “Rejoice.” This is addressed to those who are mourning over Jerusalem, those who received that invitation sent out on the Ash Wednesday, those who hearkened to the song: “Oh come and mourn with me a while…Jesus our Lord is crucified”.

Indeed, we should rejoice in hope. We should rejoice with an eye on the resurrection of Christ for those who suffered with Him shall also reign with. We re joice that through the observances of this holy season, God continues to lighten our paths as we journey along with Him. We rejoice in appreciation to God for the Amazing Grace that saved wretched ones like us, we rejoice that we once were lost but now found, were blind like the man in the Gospel of today but now can see.

But are we actually seeing or still blind after the whole process of divine illumination? Are we also blind? Was the question some Pharisees directed to Jesus today in their effort to claim to know and to see. Let us rather make it an introspective inquiry. Are we blind?

TO APPEAR BEFORE THE LORD?

This is a time we come before the Lord the way we are and tell ourselves the truth about ourselves, namely that we are blind. That not even our blindness or the present hopeless situations should stop us from seeking the Lord.( All you who seek a comfort sure in trouble and distress whatever sorrows vexed the mind, all to that heart draw near… )The blind man of today’s Gospel did not fake sight. He never claimed to see. Even after his healing, he proclaimed it severally that he was blind from birth. In baptism, we were led out of darkness and blindness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s light. Are you still seeing? Are people still seeing the light of Christ in you? Do you glory in your blindness? Don’t! Remove that black google, making you pretend that nothing is wrong with you. Jesus saw the pitiable state of the blind man and gave him attention. May God give attention to everyone still living in blindness but who is docile to his operations.

TO GOD’S GLORY IN OUR LIVES

The reply of Jesus to the disciples who asked him who was the cause of the man’s blindness was interesting. He replied them that it was neither the man’s sin nor that of the parents that made him blind, but that the work of God may be made manifest in his life. Are there dark moments in your life or dark areas of your life or situations you’re not proud of, or things about you you see no good coming out of? Jesus is saying that God’s glory can be manifested through it. Don’t be blind to see the hand of God operating in your life. He will make a way where there seems to be none. Yes, our eyes may be closed to His ways, but He will do what no human can do to restore you.

TO DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS?

When Jesus had spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eye, He commanded him to go and wash in Siloam pool. He followed that instruction and began to see. To see, we must listen to God. We must follow where he flashes. We must allow ourselves to be directed by him. As we are asked to rejoice in hope this day, let us not forget the Lenten instructions of going for confessions, helping the poor, almsgiving, prayers, etc.

TO LOOK INWARD?

The Pharisees were the real blind people. They were indeed the most miserable of the blind. Their blindness was so bad that they never knew the seriousness of their situation. Instead of affirming like the healed blind man of today that they have been blind from birth, they rather queried: Are we also blind? They were not acquainted but condemned to remain in their blindness. Never claim what you’re not. Accept the truth about your being before God.

TO BEAR TESTIMONY?

The healed man became a missionary, an evangelist, and a fearless preacher of the word of God. Even without recognising Jesus, he became His emissary. And when eventually he came to recognise Him, he believed in Him and worshipped Him. Don’t close your eyes to see reasons God give you daily to testify to His greatness in the world, in your family, in your workplace, in the Church wherever you may find yourself (I buru onye eziokwu I ga ahuriri ihe I ga eji wee jaa Chineke mma)

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

We thank You, Lord God, for the invitation You have given us to be happy in You.

May we continue to savour the sweetness and joy of Your presence, and may no darkness stop us from seeing Your goodness and light in our lives. Sustain us as by Your grace, we continue to journey to the Paschal feast through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday, Rejoice in the Lord. (Fourth Sunday of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh