1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. 6 After he said this, Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with the spittle; he rubbed the mud on the man’s eyes 7 and said, “Go and wash your face in the Pool of Siloam.” (This name means “Sent”.) So the man went, washed his face, and came back seeing. 8 His neighbours, then, and the people who had seen him begging before this, asked, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “He is the one,” but others said, “No he isn’t; he just looks like him.”
So the man himself said, “I am the man.” 13 Then they took to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 The day that Jesus made the mud and cured him of his blindness was a Sabbath. 15 The Pharisees, then, asked the man again how he had received his sight. He told them, “He put some mud on my eyes; I washed my face, and now I can see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “The man who did this cannot be from God, for he does not obey the Sabbath law.” Others, however, said, “How could a man who is a sinner perform such miracles as these?” And there was a division among them. 17 So the Pharisees asked the man once more, “You say he cured you of your blindness – well, what do you say about him?”
“He is a prophet,” the man answered. 34 They answered, “You were born and brought up in sin – and you are trying to teach us?” And they expelled him from the synagogue. 35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 The man answered, “Tell me who he is, sir, so that I can believe in him!”
*This is a shortened form of today’s reading. The full reading is John 9:1-41. Other readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14
LECTIO
We know from the earlier chapters in John’s Gospel that Jesus was not popular with the Pharisees. They were watching him closely, looking for any opportunity to accuse him.
Such an opportunity presents itself when a man is brought before them whom Jesus has healed on the Sabbath. This is not the first time Jesus has crossed the Jewish authorities by healing on the Sabbath (see John 5:1-18).
The Pharisees strictly observed the law that didn’t permit any work on the Sabbath (Exodus 23:12, 31:12-17). Jesus observed the Sabbath too but disagreed with the Pharisees on what constituted “work”. Healing, in Jesus’s opinion, was doing good and bringing praise to God – truly honouring the Sabbath.
This blind man has a rollercoaster of a time. Imagine his joy at being able to see for the first time in his life. But instead of being able to celebrate, things get complicated. Some people doubt him (verse 9). The Pharisees finally believe him after his parents confirm he was born blind, but end up expelling him from the synagogue (verse 34).
Physical healing is wonderful but an even greater healing is still to come. Jesus searches for the man, revealing himself as the Son of Man and inviting him to believe. The man confesses his faith in Jesus and his spiritual blindness is cured too.
MEDITATIO
Consider how Jesus treated this man. Compare this with the Pharisees’ response. What can we learn from this?
In 1 Samuel 16:7 we are told that God looks at the heart and not outward appearances. How does this relate to our Gospel reading? Do we make judgments about people based on their appearance or social status?
The Pharisees thought they were doing what God wanted but ended up working against God. How can we avoid doing this ourselves? Have you met God in such a way that you feel confident enough in your own spiritual experience to be able to stand your ground when others question you?
ORATIO
Psalm 23 can resonate on many levels.
Focus on a couple of verses each day this week and make them your personal prayer. Pray for those you know who need physical and spiritual healing.
CONTEMPLATIO
Do you remember when God first invited you to believe in him? Consider the ways God’s grace has worked in your life right up to today
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