4th Sunday of Lent – Cycle
A
1 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 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 fussing
over him. Many photographs were taken. The minister baptized his
grandson. It was a glorious lifetime. Afterward, when the minister
wrote about the experience, he 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 to us through others: in
line at the checkout counter, in a restaurant, at work – so many
chances. I confess that it is hard for me to see. I tell myself
that the glory of God is easier to spot in some than in others. The
simple truth is that I forget to look for it most of the time. It's
one of my faults, but I recognize my shortcomings and I'm trying to
change them. 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
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 10, 2013
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