Reflection on the Readings

Coach Lou Little once told the story of a young player who rarely made it onto the field. After the boy’s father died, he asked to start in a big game—“It’s what my father would have wanted.” The coach agreed to let him play a few snaps, but the young man played like a star for the entire game. When the coach asked what inspired him, the boy replied, “My father was blind. Today was the first time he ever saw me play.”

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that there is more than one kind of blindness. The man born blind receives physical sight—and his spiritual sight grows as he recognizes Jesus. Meanwhile, the Pharisees, who see just fine, remain spiritually blind because they refuse to let God’s light in.

Jesus also corrects the belief that suffering is some kind of punishment from God. Hardship isn’t proof of God’s anger; rather, God stays close to us, even when we feel lost or in the dark. Often only later do we realize He was never more than a few steps away.

Spiritual blindness happens when we refuse forgiveness, ignore someone’s suffering, or avoid the parts of our lives that need conversion. But Christ desires to heal that blindness too. He wants us to see ourselves, others, and our world as God sees them.

Friends, as we continue through Lent, may we allow the Lord to open our eyes—so we may walk more confidently in His light.

Blessings on your Lenten journey,

Fr. David C. Santos, Pastor