Sight for the Blind
Lent's fourth Sunday
Dear Saints,
This Sunday's Gospel really packs a punch.
But before I get to that, happy Laetare Sunday!
This is the Sunday in Lent that we start to see the light at the end of the penitential tunnel. These days feel especially dark, but given that Laetare means rejoice I'd like to pass along Saint Paul's evergreen encouragement: Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer (Romans 12.2).
So put on your Sunday best, pick out a bit of pink (rose), and join me in prayer. Sunday's Mass will be live-streamed at 8:00am (probably on our website's new mission hub, but at least on Facebook), and later posted to OLMC's YouTube Channel and our website so you can access it at your leisure.
Okay. Let's get back to the Gospel. At least for a little taster.
At the beginning of the passage, we hear Jesus' disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
It seems somewhat cruel to even ask the question, doesn't it? But it's not all bad. After all, if we believe in a good God whose creation is good, then something has gone wrong. And if we believe in a God who is just, then what people suffer can only seem unjust but actually can't be.
That's a lot to take in. So let me bring it home before I head to bed.
Who is to blame for COVID-19? Whose sin is it? (Please don't respond to me this time - it's a rhetorical question.) :-D
Jesus answered his disciples, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him."
A lockdown-triggering disease, the seeming scourge of the present day, has come upon us that the works of God might be made visible. Something profound is taking place here: The chaos and suffering of our world is the raw material out of which God's loving and merciful purposes will be achieved.
By trusting and following Jesus, we will make his view our own. The blind will see.
I hope to see you soon!
Love,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS Stay in touch, especially if you are distancing yourself socially from others. You are not alone, and we are here to help.
PPS Go to our website when you get a chance (I'm still working on it).
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
Fourth Sunday of Lent
from Majesty by Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1311