4th Sunday in Lent

The Lenten Gospels in Year A are considered the standard for Lent in so many ways. Whenever there are Elect in a Parish, these readings are used - not only in Year A, but in the other years in the Lectionary Cycle. It just so happens that this year is Year A.
These passages from the Gospel of John are so Important because they show Jesus as the Living Water (Woman at Well) The Light of the World (Man born blind) and the Resurrection and the Life (Raising of Lazarus).

In today's gospel - the story runs like a drama, almost like a play with scenes: 
Between Jesus and the man born blind,
   Between that healed man, and those from the old neighbourhood
Between the man and the authorities, 
     The authorities and the healed man's parents,
and finally between the healed man and Jesus.

As the scenes unfold we become increasingly aware that it is those with sight who are blind (spiritually)  and the one who is born blind is the one who is in the light.  He is able to see physically & at the end is able to see spiritually.

Jesus saw the man.  Jesus doesn't walk by.   (Jesus can't walk by!)
The man does not cry out.  Never asks.  
Jesus sees him and goes after him. Like the good Shepherd.

The Physical Healing is described quickly – he went/ he washed/ he can see. The Spiritual seeing – that takes up the rest of the Gospel.
And for all those others – the Neighbours / the Parents / the Pharisees - the question remains - will they ever see?

Jesus says to wash in the pool of Siloam  -  which means sent.
Having encountered the healing love of God in Christ - that means that the man is sent.  He is to be a missionary. Just as the Samaritan Woman was sent as a missionary to her town!

For each of us who are Baptised - and for our elect, who will eventually be Baptised, sharing in the waters of Baptism is not a private thing!
It is deeply personal, but not individualistic! Never private. You are (or will be) sharing in the very mission of Christ - you are sent!
Sent to be a witness of Christ’s Love – Which is light for our world!

The Christ who has pursued each of us - and called each of us – wherever we are right now - to encounter the Father’s Mercy – 
To have the mind of Christ so that we are able – even in the midst of adversity – to rejoice and look forward to the day when we will once again be able to feast at this banquet.

Peace