GAINING VISION AND LOSING VISION
Introduction: The Gospel today narrates the healing of a man born blind by Jesus. We all suffer from different forms of blindness. All of us have some blind spots. But Jesus gives us hope to be healed of our blindness if we are ready to admit our lack of sight.
First Reading: 1 Samuel 16: 1 and 6 to 7 and 10 to 13
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 8 to 14
Gospel Reading: John 9: 1 to 41
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Samuel. The Lord God asks prophet Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the King of Israel. David, the youngest of the sons of Jesse is chosen although he seems to be the weakest of them all. The Lord God chooses the weak, makes them strong and works through them to manifest His power and glory. When we humans look at the external appearances of a person, the Lord God looks at the heart of a person and makes His choice.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul reminds the Christian community at Ephesus that although once they were in darkness but now they are in the light of the Lord. Hence, as children of light, they should bear fruits of the light and they should not take part in the unfruitful works of darkness.
Jesus heals a man born blind Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The healing of a man born blind is described. This man approaches many physicians and healers to be healed of his blindness. But none of them could heal him. Finally, he approaches Jesus to heal him. Jesus listens to him, makes a paste and applies to his eyes and asks the blind man to wash his eyes in the the pool of Siloam. The man does as instructed by the Lord and eventually he regains his sight. As the story unfolds, the blind man receives physical vision followed by a deeper vision of Jesus. When questioned by Pharisees regarding his gaining sight, the man explains to them the healing process. Gradually, his own vision of Jesus becomes more and more vivid. At first he says, 'A man called Jesus healed me." When further questioned he says, "He is a prophet." When they try to intimidate him, he says, "Unless this man comes from God, he would not be able to do such a miracle." When Jesus meets him later and asks, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' He declares, "Lord, I believe" and kneels before Him and worship Him. The man born blind undergoes a radical transformation after experiencing the healing touch of Jesus. Whereas the Pharisees, although they have physical vision, becomes more and more blind and lose their true vision. In this context St. Gregory of Palamas says, "While light is being given to this man (the man born blind) by the light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Pharisees show their own blindness and darkness in which they live by attacking this miracle.
Conclusion: The story of the blind beggar has deep significance in our lives too. It symbolizes our faith journey: Our own personal story. We too like the man born blind are brought to faith. At first we see the Lord merely as a man called Jesus. Then we realize that He is a prophet. Then the realization comes that He has come from God. Finally we to need to recognize that He is the Saviour of our lives, the Son of God.
May the Lord Jesus, who opened the eyes of the man born blind, bless you and open your eyes too to see the divine and experience His presence. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 15, 2026. Thanks.)
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