Sunday Gospel for March 2, 2008 - John 9:1-41 The Man Born Blind (By Estie and TM)

John is usually more difficult to interpret than the other gospels because he uses several symbolisms. It would be helpful to understand the following:

· This passage takes place during the Feast of the Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths (or Tents). During this feast, the Jews recall the time when they wandered in the dessert for 40 years and lived in tents. It is also known as the feast of lights because the temple was brightly illuminated at night. It is during this feast that Jesus declares “I am the light of the world.” (8:12).

· The waters of Siloam, was used in the water ceremony of the feast. The High Priest would draw water from Siloam and bring it back to the temple to be poured out. Jesus uses this water for the blind man to see the light.

The blind man is physically healed after the clay is washed away but his spiritual eyes take time to be opened. His level of conviction increases as he is opposed by neighbors, his own parents and the Pharisees. He starts by referring to Jesus as “the man called Jesus;” later “He is a prophet;” and eventually, he says “Lord, I do believe.”

On the contrary, the Pharisees, who were supposed to be the most knowledgeable about the law and about God chose NOT to believe. They regarded Jesus as a sinner because He healed on a Sabbath; rather than believe He was from God because the blind man can now see. Their pride and self-righteousness prevented them from seeing the truth.

The pride of thinking that we know everything can prevent us from seeing what is right and true. When others see things differently, our self assurance sometimes prevent us from stepping into the light because change can be painful. For example, there are many times when we say, “this is just the way things are done around here,” or “new ideas are good, but also risky,” or even “there are two ways to do things in the apostolate: our way and the wrong way.” The gospel teaches us that God speaks through every person, even those we may regard as totally blind and wrong.

Discussion:

What beliefs do you have about any area in your life (social relationships, community, career, spiritual) that other people see very differently? In what way might God be speaking to you through that person?

Source: Nil Guillemette, SJ. Hungry No More, pp. 116-127.