Shared in the diocesan e-newsletter, Thursday 12 March

The Gospel for this Sunday recalls the healing of a man who was born blind. A question that hovers over the entire episode is placed on the lips of the Pharisees: ‘Are we also blind?’  Physical blindness and spiritual blindness are placed side by side.  

The man who was born blind receives a double gift. He is given eyes to see the physical world and eyes of faith to believe what he cannot see. The gift of faith elevates his own vision so that he comes to see Jesus not simply as a man, but to recognise him as the Christ.  

By contrast, the Pharisees remain in spiritual blindness: an obstinate refusal to accept the gift of faith which leaves their vision of Jesus superficial. They have no answer for the miracle they have witnessed. Their blindness leads to a rejection of the truth and to cast the man out of the community. In this way the episode anticipates Pilate’s own question ‘What is truth?’, before he hands Jesus over to be crucified.

As the season of Lent continues, we can ask about our own vision. Do we see the world with eyes of faith, or do we remain in spiritual blindness?

Fr Michael Glover
St Mary's College, Oscott

The Sunday Gospels of Lent

Resources for Lent and Easter

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