Dear friends in Christ,
The Gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Lent challenges us to reflect on what it
means to be blind and what it means to see. The Greek word odamen means both “we
see” and “we know.” True sight is not a physical but a spiritual reality. That is why
this time of Lent is also called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment for those
who are preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Isn’t it interesting that in
healing the blind man in the Gospel, Jesus anoints him with mud and then has him
wash in a pool. These sign-actions of washing and anointing should immediately make
us think of Baptism and Confirmation.
At the same time, it is an opportunity for all of us – no matter how long it has been
since we have been baptized – to have our spiritual sight corrected through the Lenten
works of penance. This involves having a concern for the needs of those right around
us. The fact is that very few of us have any ability to affect legislative decisions – but
all of us are able to make personal decisions which are in keeping with love for God
and love for others. We can examine ourselves: do we have a concern for the poor,
the needy, the disabled right in our midst? How can we make our homes, our parish,
and our community more supportive of those in need? In addition, how can we make
sure that our sights are set not solely on this-worldly realities, but on the Kingdom of
God? In short, how can we live our supernatural vocation to beatitude? In prayer, we
seek the face of the Lord Jesus, acknowledging our spiritual blindness, so that we may
be enlightened by his mercy.
May God be Blessed!
–Father Eric Banecker