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4th Sunday of Lent (A)

Sight restored

By Jemma Redman

 

Today, as we continue to journey through Lent, we are given this great opportunity, to repent, to reflect, to renew, to change whatever areas of our lives, which are not pleasing to God, and to grow in relationship with Him.

This Sunday’s gospel (Jn 9:1–41) invites us to look a little deeper into the ways of God and how He uses situations in our lives to bring us closer to Him.

This man was blind since birth, and although he was a sinner, as we all are, he was a worshipper of God and did His will, there was something to work with. God saw his heart and healed him.

How many of us are spiritually blind to the goodness of God in our lives, how many of us pass by those who need a touch, a hug, a meal, understanding, compassion? How do we treat with others?

The song Amazing Grace says, “How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I am found, Was blind but now I see.” What an awesome experience to be able to see what God wants us to see, to see light and not remain in darkness.

Let us take advantage of this blessed Season of Lent, to ask God to open our eyes so we can see what God wants us to see, to see our sinful state and ask Him for mercy, and not be like the Pharisees, who think that they are not blind and remain in their sins, pompous and prideful, judgmental, condescending, and all the things which are opposed to a Godly life.

On the 4th Station of the Cross, Jesus meets His mother, who sees Him and feels His pain, she understands and cares, she is there for Him and He is comforted by her love for Him, by her presence. He is not alone on this difficult journey.

Many of us long for that love to show up in the difficult times in our lives. May we ask God to open the eyes of our heart and lend that same love of God to others, as they go through challenging times.

Jesus said in the gospel: “It is for judgement that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind.”

We ask God to help us through this Lenten Season to open our spiritual eyes that we may see Him and become more like Him, so that His Kingdom will come and His Will be done through us on Earth.

Let us ask God to examine our hearts and see if there be any wicked way in us and lead us to life everlasting, that where we are blind, may we see.

 

Jemma Redman is founder of Spirit Global, a spiritual support non-governmental organisation called ‘to walk with men and women’. She is the Artistic Director of The Drama Ministry for the Southern Vicariate, and for St Mary Magdalene RC Church, Houston, Texas.