Lent is described in many ways. It is called a time of penance, reconciliation, self-denial, renewal, even as the Church’s forty day retreat. Today’s readings evoke another description of this season: a journey from darkness to light or blindness to sight.
The man born blind moves from physical blindness to physical sight and at the same time, spiritual blindness to the light of faith. St. John contrasts him with the Pharisees who enjoyed physical sight but despite their scrupulous religious observance, lacked spiritual vision. They could not rejoice in the fact that the man received his sight but were disturbed that the miracle took place on a Sabbath. The longer form of the Gospel details the very contentious scene which ends in the man’s expulsion from the synagogue.
What a paradox…a blind man sees and those who see are the ones who are really blind! The one in darkness comes to light while those who claim to be in the light are the ones in the darkness of sin. For all their knowledge and fervor, the Pharisees were obstinate. Their blindness was of the heart and not of the eyes. Do you know anyone like that?
Some years ago, a woman met me at the door of the church at the end of Mass and was quite deeply upset about what I said in the homily. I told her I was sorry to hear that and perhaps I did not explain it well enough. I remembered that the subject was very well explained in the Monitor that week.
I picked up a copy that was at the door and said, “Perhaps this article might help you understand.” She said, “I don’t want to understand” and stormed out. Where does one go from there? The Pharisees did not want to understand. They were blind to the presence and power of Christ.
I think we can safely say, all of us have blind spots. One blind spot to our own faults while we see clearly the weaknesses and sins of others. Another blind spot might be to God’s blessings for which I should be grateful but fail to acknowledge. I might also be blind to the needs and sufferings of others. It’s so easy to be concerned about my own needs and preferences.
A regular examination of conscience is a great help to identify our blind spots and help us develop a clear spiritual vision.
If there were any saint who knew what it meant to move from darkness to light, it was St. Augustine. I am happy to give him the last word in this homily.
“It is you, Eternal Light who say to everyone, ‘I am the Light of the World. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. O Lord, I burn with longing for that light. Who sees my desire, if not you, O my God? Let my soul be enlarged...let it stretch forward and become ever more capable of receiving what no eye sees, what no ear hears, and what no human heart has yet experienced. Amen.”