Reflection 4th Sunday of Lent '08

Reflection for the Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Lent 2008
Mary Agnes Patterson, OSB

“One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”

The movie, Amazing Grace is a story about the legal and moral struggle that took place in the late 18th century to outlaw slave trade in the British Empire. John Newton, a minor character in the story, was a captain of a slave trading ship. His mother died when he was very young and he joined his father who was a sea merchant and began his life on the sea. After his father retired he was pressed into service and was abused as he was serving on the slave ship. He later became the captain of the slave trading ship. Although he had some religious training from his mother he had lost his religious convictions. One night there was a violent storm at sea and his ship was on the verge of sinking. He cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us.” The ship was saved and so was he. He wrote later in his journal that God had saved them. He called this event the “great deliverance” and recognized that God was speaking to him through the storm. His conversion began. He began treating the slaves better and in time gave up his work in the slave trading business. He became a priest in the Church of England, a great orator and song writer. His message had a great influence on William Wilberforce who became the leader of the campaign to abolish slavery. Later in his life John Newton became blind however he still worked to end slavery. He lived out his final years in the security of faith and the belief that amazing grace would lead him home according to an article written by Al Rogers.

St. Paul was struck blind and regained his sight. He recognized the work of God and became converted to Jesus Christ. His entire life was changed and he spent the rest of his life spreading the Good News of salvation.

In the gospel story the man born blind was healed and when he regained his sight Jesus called him to faith. The man defends Jesus who cured him and testifies that he could not be a sinner and do such great works of God. He seemed to come gradually to faith; however, he admitted that he does not know who the Son of Man. When Jesus reveals his identity and mission to him the blind man responds “Lord, I believe.”

There are many kinds of blindness: spiritual, physical, psychological, moral. Probably anything that keeps us from seeing God’s work in our lives and in the lives of others is some sort of blindness. Jesus desires to heal all our blindness. Jesus calls us to live in faith and trust and teaches us that he is the way and the truth and the light.

May we have the courage to face our own blindness. May we look into our hearts and seek the healing Jesus is ready to give us. On Ash Wednesday we heard the call to “rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is God, slow to anger, right in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” Joel 2:12 – 13

What joy we would have at Easter if we could sing, “I was blind and now I see.” We know Christ is waiting to heal us from our blindness and from all that keeps us from God. Let us live in hope, knowing God is gracious, merciful, kind and is calling us each day to new life and hope. ( Invite everyone to sing of “Amazing Grace.”)