HAVING A SPIRITUAL SIGHT

HOMILY FOR 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT - YEAR A

THEME: HAVING A SPIRITUAL SIGHT

R1: 1 Sam 16:1,6-7, 10-13

R2: Eph 5:8-14

Gospel: John 9:1-41

Did you notice the wonderful drama of the first reading? Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king of Israel. Jesse presented all his seven sons with good appearances but none of them was chosen except the last who was being looked on as not having the physical capacity for leadership. Why were they rejected? Because the spirit of the Lord did not rest on them, therefore, they lacked that grace to lead. 

Friends, is it possible that we may be called  followers of Christ without enjoying God’s favour? Do you know it is possible that on the last day some of us may be chosen while others will be left out? God forbid that this will be our portion. No wonder Matthew 7:21 maintains,  “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of God.”

What could cause our rejection by God? What could deprive us of God’s choice and favour? What could make us to be like these rejected sons of Jesse? This is found in the attitude of the Pharisees who were obstinate to God’s will. They rejected the miraculous work of God through Jesus even though they claimed to be believers of God. Instead of praising the mighty deeds of Jesus, they thought of  killing him. They knew the truth but refused to acknowledge it. They claimed to be wise but were spiritually foolish. They pretended to be lovers of God but lacked spiritual insight to understand the things of God. They were  spiritually blind, hence, Jesus told them, “judgment will come upon you” (John 9:39).

Therefore, spiritual blindness comprises of total rejection of God. It is obstinacy in sin and lack of openness to spiritual possibilities. It is negligence to spiritual things. It is being full of pride, selfishness and spiritual emptiness. Like the sons of Jesse, it is appearing huge but spiritually empty. Like the Pharisees, it is intelligent to worldly things but foolishness and empty to heavenly things. For these, Jesus says, “…your guilt remains with you.”( Jn 9:41).

Dear friends, the readings of today challenge us to be cured of our blindness, to have a spiritual sight. It is an invitation to let go of our Pharisaic pride and empty  ourselves to the healing mercy of God. St Paul in the second reading rightly puts it, “Once we were in darkness but now are in light.”  This light was given to us at the moment of baptism when we made a commitment to be a people of God. Through our baptism which initiates us to God, we become like the blind man who was cured by Jesus today. Like the blind man from birth, we share in the original sin of our first parents which Christ has wiped away and has brought us to light.

Even though we have been healed by Christ, St Paul also advises that we must try to discover what God wants which has nothing to do with darkness (Eph 5:10-11). Discovering what God wants is concretised in the profession of faith of the blind man, “I believe and worshipped him” (John 9:38). We must therefore always believe and worship God. This demands standing up to the defense of our faith, especially when people say “we are old enough to speak for ourselves.” Defending the faith is a proof of your spiritual sight. This demands doing the will of God, and this is the meaning of having a spiritual sight.

God bless you.

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.