4th Sunday of Lent – Cycle A1 Samuel 6: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5: 8-14;
John 9: 1-41
There is a guided method of prayer that I was taught called Lectio Divina. It basically works like this: You choose a passage from scripture and read it. At the end, you look back and pick out one word, or one phrase that grabbed your attention and you meditate on that word. Sit in thought with it for awhile. Then go back and re-read the entire passage again. As you continue the process, you begin to perceive and understand the scripture on a much deeper level. It can be an eye-opening experience.
I frequently use this method of prayer when I am writing a homily. It usually works quite well. Usually. This week – not so much. Today's gospel story was very long and it was difficult to choose a phrase but I eventually settled on one.
You will recall that at the beginning of the story, the disciples ask Jesus, who had sinned, the blind man or his parents. Jesus answered “neither”, and then he said the phrase that caught my attention: “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him” WOW. Let me repeat it - “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
Just imagine – every person since the beginning of time has been created for this purpose. From the unborn child who dies in his mother's womb to the most aged – from the rich and powerful to the poor and sick – every life gives glory to God. Everyone reflects God's love to others. Yes, we are all sinners, but God's glory remains. Nothing can take that glory away.
“It is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
The blind man was not a respected man of the community. If anyone noticed him at all, it was to step around him on the way to wherever they were going. But Jesus noticed him. He sent him to wash in the waters of Siloam, reminding us of our own baptism. Jesus not only cured the man's physical affliction, but also awakened in him a faith in Christ. Notice that when he is first asked who healed him, the man replies: “The man called Jesus” did it; later, he says of Jesus, “He is a prophet.” Still later he acknowledges Jesus as the Son of Man. And finally he says simply, “I do believe Lord.” And he worshiped him. This is a synopsis our our growth in faith, growth that takes us a lifetime.
I read a story a few years ago written by a christian minister. It seems that his son and daughter-in-law were going to have their third child. But something went terribly wrong. One of the prenatal tests showed that the child had a severe defect and it was inoperable. The baby would not survive. The minister advised the couple that an abortion would be OK given the circumstances. The daughter-in-law was Catholic and told him that she was having that baby no matter what. Her husband understood his father's argument but chose instead to support his wife. Baby Evan was born and lived his entire lifetime, 43 minutes, in the arms of his family. His brother and sister, both children themselves, held baby Evan's hands and sang to him. Aunts and uncles took turns holding him and talking to him. Many photographs were taken. The minister baptized his grandson. It was a glorious lifetime. Afterward, the minister wrote about the experience, told of the love that was present in that hospital room. He compared himself to the shepherds in the nativity story who were given such a wonderful gift. He felt as if he'd seen the face of God firsthand.
“It is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
There are so many opportunities in our daily lives where the glory of God might be made known through us: in line at the checkout counter, in traffic, at work when things go awry – so many chances. I confess that it is hard for me. I get inpatient – in a hurry – sometimes Jesus is the LAST thing that I'm thinking about. But I recognize my shortcomings and I'm trying to change that. Maybe Lectio Divina can help.
So how do we insure that God's glory is made visible through us? By drawing closer to Christ in faith. It begins with baptism but it is a lifelong process of giving our hearts to Christ. An intellectual knowledge of the historical Jesus is not enough. An acknowledgment of Jesus as a prophet, as a teacher, as a role model is not enough. It is only when we are able to say “Jesus is Lord,” and mean it, that we can make that breakthrough. Then the glory of God can shine through for all to see.
Deacon Darryl J. Diemer
4th Sunday of Lent
April 3, 2011
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