God Sees the Heart and Not the Appearance
Dear Parishioners,
We all should be grateful that God does not judge as humans do. He does not judge according to appearance or lofty stature. He does not judge according to skin color, accent or place of origin. If he does, then we are doomed. For human judgment is often wrong, biased or misguided. Our first reading tells the story of God’s unexpected selection of David, a young kid to be anointed a king. It also tells us that God pays attention on internal qualities and not just on external appearances.
In the call of David, we saw how God intervened before the prophet Samuel was able to discover David. Sometimes, appearance could be distracting. How many times have we been discouraged when appearances fail and we are confronted with the realities? Both society and the church sometimes are taken up with desires for titles and honors as means of power, influence and worth. We cannot deny that what inspires sometimes comes from little people, from unexpected sources or places. How often do we thank those who do menial jobs? Think of those who clean streets, pick up garbage, process sewage, and those who work in extreme weather conditions. Imagine those jobs that you and I would be reluctant to do.
God is asking us to pay attention to those areas often ignored and neglected. Only God can cast light on our darkness. In the gospel, Jesus did cast light on a man who had been blind from birth. In doing so he dismissed the notion that blindness or any physical disability is a result of personal sin. He restores the dignity of a human person regardless of any disability. We are not any less a person because of illness or disability. He reminds us that God never ceases to work with anyone. He responded to his questioner; “The man was born blind to let God’s work show forth in him.” Everyone has a purpose. Everyone is important.
Jesus did not hesitate to restore the man to fullness of health. His action was interesting. He spat on the ground and mixed it with sand. He made mud and then applied it to the eyes of the blind man. This action recalls the story of man’s creation in Genesis (Gen 2:7) the witnesses were stunned by the transformation. They were too blind to acknowledge God’s work. For in that moment Jesus restored the creation. He made whole again a man born with a deformity. It sparked controversy especially from those who were supposed to be custodians of God’s law. They did not see nor recognize God’s work. But Jesus remained true to his mission.
The cured man stood up for Jesus. He defended Jesus before the authorities who later expelled him from the community. He was courageous and appreciative of the gift of new sight. He was aware of his personal ignorance and his own inner darkness. His encounter with Jesus changed his life, just like the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. An encounter with Jesus opens the possibility of a life changing experience.
We all have some blind spots in our lives. Our Lenten experience helps us to examine those areas that need the light of Christ. Only Jesus can remove our inner darkness. He brings to anyone open to him that inner light that gives true knowledge. He guides us in discerning and knowing what is true and to discard what is fake and superficial. Those who think they can see, are at risk of thinking too much of themselves.
Their darkness will always speak to them and not the light of God’s grace. How could one be cured who does not see that he is blind? May his grace inspire us to seek him who is the source of light. “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
Grace and Peace to You.
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
