Who is Jesus? This is the question that is asked of us today in our gospel reading, and this is the question that confronts those who appear in the story. The gospel unfolds as Jesus gives sight to the man born blind. Jesus tells his disciples that this miracle was for the purpose of making visible the work of God. But this miraculous healing, rather than bringing all together in joyful celebration, causes divisions to appear. We see the lackluster reaction of the neighbors who asked a few questions of the now healed beggar and then went on with life untouched by his witness story. We see the response of the beggar’s fearful parents who would distance themselves from their son who now sees them for the very first time. And we see how the unbelieving Pharisees would, not just reject the visible and merciful work of God but, accuse Jesus of being a sinner. Indifference, fear, and outright rejection. Who is Jesus the gospel asks us? The neighbors say, we don’t really care. The parents say, we are too afraid to even consider it. The Pharisees say, he is a sinner. And the beggar says, I believe Lord and worships him. Who is Jesus and where are we in this crowd of witnesses?
Though physically healed the blind man will receive a significantly greater cure as he is also healed of his spiritual blindness. This does not happen immediately but slowly as the man, grows in faith and confidence, proclaiming Jesus a prophet, then as one sent by God, and finally, as the Son of Man, who he worships. In the process this beggar, now confident in his sight, is, as they say in England, a little cheeky with the Pharisees, “Do you want to become his disciples, too”, he says in response to their ongoing questions. He is not afraid of ridicule, and he is not afraid of being turned out of the temple, unlike his parents who deflect the questions of the Pharisees fearing excommunication.
The blind man’s anointing was the dirt mixed with saliva. In baptism we too were anointed and so raised from the cold death of sin and darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ. We hear this in the words of Paul as he writes, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will give you light” – this light provides the grace for us to discern what pleases God. In the blind man’s journey to profess Christ as Lord we should see our own journey of faith as we too grow in spiritual confidence. Gathered today we all know and declare our believe in Jesus Christ and who he is. Equipped by baptism we journey in faith with the blind man who grew more confident by sharing the faith that he had. In receiving the light of our faith, we are entrusted to pass it on in word and deed. Saint Francis tell us to, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words”, but we also know he was a preacher speaking and sharing the gospel with the rich and those he met along the way. He was not shy of sharing and proclaiming the good news in word, even to birds and animals we are told. Today so many are fumbling around in the dark, bumping into things and hurting themselves and others. Those we meet need to see the example of faith lived out well in each of us - that is true, but they also thirst, sometimes unknowingly, to hear who Jesus is – a healer, a prophet, the very one who gives light to life and without whom one remains truly lost and in the dark. As situations present themselves, we can reflect the light of Christ. This might be as simple as saying bless you when previously we said thank you. Or in being kind to the one who needs to feel that someone cares. Or if meeting a person critical of the church we can share our own story of healing, or transformation, or spiritual awakening. We can share our church bulletin and show them how much good is happening in this local catholic church – something to be truly proud of.
In ways small or big, we reflect the Light of Jesus Christ who is Lord. As we enter this second half of Lent, we return to God with our whole heart. We progress step by step, growing closer to Jesus who is our Light, our Hope, our Healer, and our Redeemer.
Deacon Peter Bujwid, St., Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts
March 19th, 2023
