Friars Corner: Come, into the Light, which is Christ
1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13; Ps 23:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-11; John 9:1-41
Each day Jesus gives us a new “snapshot” of himself. We see this at daily Mass and in the Prayer of Christians, what we call the Divine Office. In these past Lenten Sundays, we are seeing Jesus redirecting human life. First, we saw Jesus as the “New Adam.” Then we saw Jesus as the “New Moses.”
The blind see Jesus, light of the world
This week we see Jesus as the “New King David.” And this week we also see Jesus as our Shepherd (Psalm 23). We see the blind man from birth, meeting Jesus who places an ointment on his eyes. The man is told to go wash. He comes back to Jesus, having received a miracle. He was able to see for the first time in his life. Jesus tells the amazed audience that while he is in the world, he is the light of the world.
We can be blind in many ways and walking in wrong places. Today we are invited by Jesus to “go wash” in his healing water. What is that? Have you been to confession in a while? Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). This is Christ’s forgiving spring of “living water,” as Jesus told the woman at Jacob’s well. She received Christ’s forgiveness and told her whole village she had met the Messiah. They came to Jesus and believed. As we receive Christ’s forgiveness, we are like the blind man in the gospel today. We are able to see things in the light of Jesus.
Jesus anoints us with gladness
Psalm 23 today tells us the Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He brings us abundance, into verdant pastures and refreshment of life. Jesus guides us in right paths. He gives us meaning in dark times. Jesus gives us courage that he is always with us. He spreads a rich table before us at daily Mass. Jesus anoints us with his gladness and sends us out into the world, refreshed to bring his love and goodness to others. Is this amazing insight?
A few weeks ago I prayed for you to receive the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Did anything happen in the days after that prayer? You should be receiving new vision and clarity for your life in Jesus. Continue in your daily prayer asking Jesus to bless our new government so they walk in the light of Christ and help bring our nation to the abundance of Christ. Let us continue to pray for our world and those starving in many ways and walking in darkness. With and in Jesus Christ we help bring other to him.
Have a blessed week. Jesus is our shepherd and always with us. Amen!
Peace and all good!
+ Fr. Bob Hilz
(© 2017 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)