Fourth Sunday of Lent- 2020
Written on: March 18, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Lent- March 22, 2020
First Reading:1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel: John 9:1-41
“Not as a man does God see, for man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
These words are fleshed out in John’s Gospel when Jesus and his disciples come upon a blind man sitting on the side of the road. The disciples immediately assumed that this man was inferior and was being punished with his obvious disability. Curious, they asked Jesus who had sinned, this man or his parents. The answer Jesus gave his disciples gives us an opportunity this week to stop and reflect on His words.
“Neither he nor his parents have sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
Jesus was probably irritated with their line of shallow questioning. However, being the Master Teacher, he answered them with patience and clarity so that they might learn and see beyond outward appearances.
Jesus wants us, his disciples, to look beyond outward appearances. Looking beyond enables us to sharpen our spiritual sense of seeing so that we may live more fully, love more deeply and create moments of openings for others to see.
We all need to pause and awaken our spiritual sense of seeing. Of all our senses and faculties, sight is said to be the most real and absolute, the perfect experience. Eyes are the window of the soul.
At the end of the day, when we recall our encounters, and experiences we need to ask ourselves:
- Did I recognize the Spirit at work in the things I enjoyed today, as well as the challenges I encountered? How was the Spirit manifested to me?
- Did I see the extraordinary in the ordinary today?
- How has my faith been made visible today?
- Have I used my mental/ spiritual vision to re-frame an experience?
Throughout our lives, each day, we are constantly encountering persons, places, things that can show us, if we look beyond, God’s wisdom and Providential care for us.
Most of us do not have sharp visual acuity but if we look with our spiritual sight we can have 20/20 in-sight.
“And here is my secret, a very simple secret. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Antoine de Saint–Exupéry,
The Little Prince
Thank you to Sr. Martha Moyle for her insight and “vision” this week!
13 thoughts on “Fourth Sunday of Lent- 2020”
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This is so timely, Martha. We all are facing a brand new world in many ways. What we ask of this situation and the experiences it is colored with will make a real difference! Thanks.
Upon uniting myself in the World Wide Solidarity and Prayer at this time of Global Crisis, praying for Healing and an end to this Plaque, I was drawn to our own Website. Thank you Martha for sharing your insight of today’s Scripture Reading.
Thank you so much Sister Martha. I have been thinking very much about what you wrote. I keep coming back to it and learning. Thank you also for the quote from The Little Prince. I have read it many times.
Nice to be reminded of that quote from “The Little Prince.”
Thanks for your reflection.
Thanks for this reflection! Seeing with the heart helps to see Jesus in everyone. It touched my heart as well.
Thank you so much for the quote from St. Exupery. I have loved this story for many years.
Thank you Sr. Martha for your reminder to look deeper, to look with the soul’s eyes . Perhaps those words are even more important today than in days past.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insight with us. You have given us much to ponder.
Thanks Martha! A great reminder to go deeper in our encounters and a perfect reminder at this difficult time to trust in Divine Providence!
Isn’t the blind man an example of the human race? Perhaps we need to go on the journey with him to experience God’s presence and God’s healing..especially in our current circumstances.
Thank you for the reminder.
Martha, I loved it. Thanks,. Too often we/I devalue things of the heart. How much we miss!! Thanks for the reminder.
Loved this reflection. Thanks Martha. Maybe we will also be able to ‘see’ the challenges of our current circumstances as opportunities rather than terrible losses.
Thanks Martha! Just right!