We Cannot Be Whole Unless the Light of Christ Shines On Us.
Dear Parishioners,
Many of us are weary of these long winter days and eagerly looking forward to the warm summer. As we emerge from the darkness of winter, our Lenten journey takes us nearer to the Easter light, where Jesus is the focal point of our faith. He will illuminate the world and give sight to those who believe.
The story of a man born blind who received his sight from Jesus underscores this truth. To come to Jesus in faith is to accept the light; to reject him is to embrace the darkness. Jesus reveals again to us that he is the light of the world. We are now getting to know Jesus, just like the Samaritan woman.
Are you not intrigued by the words and actions of Jesus in restoring the blind man’s sight? Jesus spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva and smeared clay on his eyes and said to him, Go, wash in the pool,” So he went and washed, and came back able to see. Do you recall the story of creation in the book of Genesis where God forms man out of clay? (Gen 2:7)
In manifesting his healing powers, Jesus presented himself as having the same healing and creating power of God. His glory is once again made visible to humanity. While others were wondering who this man was that had such a mighty power, the blind man had no doubt. He believed firmly in Jesus because he experienced Jesus’ power. Have you experienced his power? Do you feel his presence in the sacrament? Can you say that Jesus has touched you?
The blind beggar in today’s gospel represents humanity. As Jesus restored his sight, he does the same for any human being who is aware of his personal ignorance and his own inner darkness. Jesus brings such a person the inner light that is true knowledge. He enables him to discern and know what truly is and to disregard mere superficial appearances.
In a society where anything goes, immorality is creating a thick layer of darkness over people’s consciences. Sin and denial of sin perpetuate the state of moral darkness in our society. Many take pleasure in things they should be ashamed of. There are folks who act and live as if there is no God or moral order. They pleasure themselves in all kinds of sinful behaviors and justify it in the name of freedom. They forget that with freedom comes responsibility. The longer we delude ourselves, the more we become tolerant of sin. You see it in the evils of abortion, endless cycle of violence, racial discrimination, sexual abuse, and other forms of denigrating humanity, including excessive economic inequalities in society.
How long can we live in such a state of darkness? “Insofar as man chooses to shut himself up within himself, to focus wholly on his own satisfaction, he ends up an accursed creature and the Lord will not be able to do anything for him.” We cannot be whole unless the light of Christ shines upon us. That is what Lent prepares us for. Soon we will enter into the Easter feasts. St. Paul encourages us to reject the works of darkness and carry out the works of light.
Grace and Peace to You,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
