FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

READINGS AT MASS

1 Sam. 16:1, 6-7, 10-13

Psalm 23

Eph. 5:8-14

Jn. 9:1-41

Theme: BORN BLIND

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today's Gospel introduces the man at the centre of the contention as “the man born blind.” This is to tell us that his blindness was more of a natural inherent defect than a sickness. Thus, his blindness, the inability to see, came with his nature. 

Just like the iconic man of John chapter nine, humanity is plagued with an inherent blindness (a natural defect) that prevents us from seeing reality and truth as God sees them. There is a natural veil of darkness and deception (Is. 25:7-8, Habakkuk 2:14) that blinds us from birth. How many times are we not convinced about what we see and believe only to be proven totally wrong by the future and better knowledge? No matter how close and extensively we look at things, we are not able to perceive reality as God sees it. There is a reality and knowledge that lies beyond humanity's natural sense of sight because we were born blind. 

In our First Reading for today, we see how Samuel, though not physically blind, could not see exactly what God wanted. Until God stepped in, Samuel was going to make the wrong choice. It is difficult to figure out exactly what God wants for us and from us without us relying on Him for His guidance and help. 

This natural and inherent defect of men can only be cured by the regenerative touch of Jesus Christ. Jesus comes as the Light of the world to open our eyes and give light to our sight. Let us admit our blindness before Him during this Lenten season and ask for His help so we can see.

PRAYER

Lord, you came as the Light of the world to give sight to blind eyes. Heal our blindness. Amen! 

May God bless you. 

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, March 19, 2023. 

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.