April 03, 2011
4th Sunday of Lent
What is a miracle? Restoring physical sight or helping a person come to understanding and insight? The story of Helen Keller (a blind and deaf girl) and Anne Sullivan (her teacher) is told in The Miracle Worker. A dramatic moment is one of understanding not physical restoration of vision or hearing. Helen is able to make a connection between the sound she can make, the word she can sign and the "water" she can feel. It transforms her life. A miracle! John the evangelist does not use the word "miracle" in his Gospel but the word "sign." Jesus performs the "sign" of restoring the blind man's sight and then slowly helping him come to insight into the person and mission of Jesus himself. The account unfolds like a play with Jesus, the blind man, onlookers, parents, pharisees (lay religious leaders) and us (listeners.) While the blind man comes to know Jesus first as just a man, then prophet, from God, Son of Man and then Lord, there is a parallel spiritual blindness of those who see the sign and refuse to believe. Today Pam (our catechumen) will acknowledge what distorts, distracts and deceives her from entering more deeply into friendship with and faith in Jesus. She will pray for "enlightenment" -- a word in the early believing community referring to baptism. With Pam, we pray to see the meaning and mystery of the One God sent into the world that we may enjoy eternal life.
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3rd Sunday in Lent
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5th Sunday in Lent
