My Sisters and Brothers:
Today’s Gospel speaks about the human experience of “conversion” and its necessary impact on others. It tells of a blind man to whom Jesus gave sight (see John 9:1-41). According to the story, Jesus first smeared some muddy clay on the man’s blind eyes, and then sent him to wash in the Pool of Silo'am in order for the cure to be complete. Once completely cured, the then-formerly-blind-man was compelled to go and report the news to others. Although his testimony led the ever-disbelieving-Pharisees to criticize, doubt, and condemn Jesus, the cured man instead became a true believer, and so also was able to proclaim: “Lord, I believe.” This new-found-faith led him to worship Jesus with his lips, to put his faith into action, and to be an inspiration for other faith-filled people as well.
The “conversion naysayers” certainly got a lot of attention in this story. In fact, by comparison isn’t it true we all know of some “conversions” that have been met with skepticism and doubt. And we could say “the proof” of such “conversions” would have been “in the pudding” (so to speak!). We might actually know of people who have “changed their lives” only to return in no time to former ways of being and of doing things (and we know how disheartening that can be!). In the case of today’s Gospel story, the real proof of “conversion” was indisputable, yet the Pharisees remained skeptical. In fact, they were full of anger because of what had happened, and they justified their wrath because Jesus’ curing actions had occurred on the Sabbath. For that reason alone, they self-righteously desired to negate the godliness of the blind man’s cure, and his subsequent conversion and profession of faith in Jesus. Their disbelief is comparable to those today who jealously guard their own and likely self-proclaimed authority, knowledge, and wisdom over spiritual things (and over material things as well!). As with the Pharisees, I believe such behavior, and similar misuse of “religious authority,” always demonstrates the desire of such people to maintain inappropriate “power” over others, even if it requires the denial of reality (such as in cases of miraculous cures and genuine conversions!). Jesus completely rejected such behavior, and instead encouraged bold proclamations of the truth, especially from those like the former-blind-man who otherwise, like so many others, would have had no voice.
I believe today’s Gospel also challenges us to turn away from the darkness of sin, and to put our faith into action–even if and when the naysayers try to make it difficult. Although we may not have been like the blind man, who was suddenly able to see because of a miraculous healing, we are called to be like him in the way we know God and then speak the truth and share the Good News of our faith with others. We can do this with our words and/or our actions. And so, let’s not be afraid! There will be times when the truth of our testimony will be met with skepticism and doubt on the part of others. And we can be sure such people will claim to be wiser than we are, but our faith must never waver! By what we say and do we must always stand up to those modern day Pharisees (some of whom may be dressed up as “religious leaders” and others who might call themselves “politicians”)! The reciprocal skepticism, and the possible actions against us, may take various forms in our own time–from doubts about our authenticity, to attacks on our defense of the most vulnerable among us, to questions about our motives in promoting the common good, to mockery of our defense of the poor and marginalized, and to outright contempt for Christian values and beliefs (and everything in between). But let’s not be overcome by such negativity!
During this time of Lent we continue to reflect upon those areas of conversion necessary in our own lives. And so, as the blind man in today’s Gospel was given sight, let’s hope we too can be freed from whatever darkness might cover us. Let’s pray God will continue to work miracles and moments of conversion in our own lives. Let’s desire to be different than the Pharisees, who believed they were superior to others, and who could never accept the genuine faith experiences and conversions of those who were truly humble. Let’s hope we will always live in the brilliant light of grace, and forever be freed from spiritual darkness. And also may we never be afraid to witness to the truth of our faith by our words and our actions. My friends, let’s encourage each other with this message of faith!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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