Commentary on the Gospel of
"Blind from birth"
The fact that the man born blind has no name helps us to reflect our face and our name in his story. We too have been "enlightened" by Christ in Baptism and are therefore called to behave as children of light.
With the healing of the man born blind, Jesus wants to show us his affirmation: "I am the light of the world" (Jn.8,12).
Jesus heals the blind man from birth with spittle and sends him to be washed. This washing, which gives sight to the blind man, is seen as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In this sacrament, the cleansing water opens the eyes of faith to know Jesus Christ, the One sent by God, and to believe in Him. The blind man is expelled from the synagogue, accused of being a sinner for defending another sin, Jesus, but he goes out to meet the poor blind man and makes him recognise him as the Son of Man, to which he responds: "I believe, Lord", and he prostrates himself before him as a sign of recognition and adoration.
The story of the healing of the blind man concludes with these words: "I came into this world so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind". It is important that we ask ourselves questions like these: Where do I come from, where am I going, what am I looking for in life?
Certainly reason has enlightened us, deciphering many of life's enigmas, but reason, which can explain so many things, does not explain itself, and the most reasonable thing to do is to humbly recognise that we are at the mercy of mystery.
This Lenten season is an opportunity of grace that the Lord gives us. He comes to meet us and speaks to us the same word of mercy that he spoke to the blind man, so we must take the step to welcome him into our hearts, where his light will make us recognise our darkness and see as Jesus did.
In the healing of the blind man, let us emphasise the mercy of Christ. When he saw the blind man, he was moved with compassion, like the Good Samaritan. How he would like to heal all blind people! He is the light of the world, so how it hurts him that there are blind people who do not allow themselves to be healed.
Let us also note the docile welcome of the blind man: he trusts Jesus completely, he does not resist when he gets him muddy and sends him to the pool. And so he will receive as a reward these words of Jesus: "I am the Son of Man"
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PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes, so that we may see our brothers and sisters with the love with which you look at them.
ACTION: Let us look today for traces of God's light in those who seem to be far away from Him.
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HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL.
