Reflection
Our readings on this 4th Sunday of Lent invite us to go deeper than mere human observation. Quite a challenge since we live in a society where appearance is valued so highly. For example, whether on stage or screen, today it is essential that a person who aspires to be a “star” look the part. For an actor, he must be tall, handsome, well built, square manly jawline, etc. On the other hand, the actress who wants to be accepted and admired must be beautiful, not too thin and not too heavy, but just what everyone sitting in the theater wishes they could be, how they could look! It’s all about appearance, isn’t it?
In our first reading from the Book of Samuel, the prophet is sent by God to Bethlehem and to Jesse who lived there with his sons, in order to anoint a king, the one who would be king of Israel! Surely some of Jesse’s sons were handsome to behold, strong men who would fit the kingly bill; but Samuel resisted the appearance of the brothers and looked for the one who was literally working, out of sight and out in the fields with the sheep. It was David who would be selected, though appearance was important in this case too, since the scriptures tell us that David was “ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.” Here we go again, looking for the right fit based on looks and appearance! Or did Samuel go deeper, listening to the Lord who already knew the heart of David? In God’s own way, Samuel knew that this was the future King of Israel because the scriptures tell us that the prophet, oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers and that “from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David!”
What a lesson for us today, a profound invitation to look deeper into the heart and not to judge by mere appearances, an invitation to let the spirit of God rush upon us!
In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us of something very essential, i.e., that we are called to live as “children of the light” and, therefore, should produce all that this implies, “every kind of goodness.” How different would things be if all Christians today remembered how great is our dignity as children of God who carry the light of Christ within us? Paul ends this great exhortation by reminding us all to wake up and remember who we are! If we do, then surely Christ will give us the light to do all that is good and true.
Our Gospel story from John tells us about the man born blind and his confrontation with the Pharisees.
This passage is especially interesting to me personally. I love the way the Pharisees are confounded by the man who was born blind and given sight by Jesus. The Pharisees admit that they do not know where Jesus is from, but the man cured by Jesus simply replies, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes…If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” The ones who are truly blind in this miracle still cannot see and learn from the one who now sees and believes! It makes one wonder who is truly blind! Yet Jesus could do nothing for them. Appearance, light, and eyes to see…this is our message for the 4th Sunday in Lent. This is the Lord’s invitation to all who will listen: we are all called to walk in the light during these tumultuous days, to recognize the truth of things and not be deceived, and to see that the One who stands before us is Jesus, the Lord We are called to wake up!
