From the Deacon’s Desk 3/22/2020

Dear Friends:

Today we hear from John’s Gospel 9:1-41, the story of the man born blind. There is a tremendous amount going on in this very famous Gospel. It would be impossible to cover everything in a homily or in a short article like this. We will look at just one aspect.

Jesus is walking along with his disciples. They pass a man who was blind from birth. His disciples ask him “who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus answers “neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God may be made visible through him.” Jesus, out of pity for this poor soul, spits on the ground and makes some clay with his saliva. Then he smears the mixture on the blind man’s eyes. It is the Sabbath and when Jesus mixes the clay and applies it he is in violation of the Sabbath law. Making clay and applying it is considered work, and that is against the law. As far as the Pharisees are concerned, the man has been blind from birth so he can wait another day. As far as Jesus is concerned, he has been blind long enough, one more day is too long. Jesus then tells the man to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. When the man washes his eyes, they are cleared of their malady and he can see! He can see the light of the world.

Jesus is the light of our world! The question we need to ask ourselves today, is there anything keeping us from seeing that light? Jesus is the light that shows us the way to the Father. He is the light of kindness and gentleness. Are we   living in kindness and gentleness? We have been given the gift of the life by having Jesus in our lives. Are we sharing it or are we trying to keep it for ourselves?

Peace and All Good!

Deacon Jim