Fourth Sunday of Lent A March 2, 2008

John 9:1-41 (the cure of the blind man sent to the Pool of Siloam) As part of his plan to fortify Jerusalem against a possible siege by the Assyrians in 701 B.C., King Hezekiah had a 1/3 mile-long tunnel cut through solid rock to channel water from Gihon Springs, which was outside the city walls, within the city. Access to the springs was covered over with boulders to prevent enemies from poisoning the water supply. The terminus of Hezekiah’s tunnel was the newly constructed Pool of Siloam, still used today as the source of drinking water in the poor Arab neighborhood which surrounds the pool.

Jesus once again heals on the Sabbath, a fact which terribly upset the Pharisees.  Their problem with Jesus, however, was not that he had done unnecessary work on the Sabbath. They were concerned about something far more significant…something Jesus was indicating about himself without giving them words upon which to convict him.  Genesis 2:3 recounts that God rested on the seventh day, but the Pharisees reasoned that God never really rested since, if God did so, creation would cease to function. Therefore, they believed that God worked every day.  The Sabbath was created for man to rest and acknowledge dependence on the work of God rather than our own human labors.  Jesus' healing on the Sabbath was not merely breaking a Sabbath law.  He was sending them a signal of his divinity…a signal which they, being more theologically astute than most of their Jewish counterparts, caught and for which Jesus was eventually condemned. Note how the testimony of the blind man becomes stronger with each passing conversation. So it is with us as we give testimony to our faith. May we be strengthened in faith by sharing our testimony through our words and actions.

Reading 1, 1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13a  As a young child Samuel was placed in the service of the Lord under Eli at the sanctuary in Shiloh. 1 Samuel 3 recounts how he learned to listen to the voice of God: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” In today's passage, as Samuel is to select the next king of Israel and Judah, he does what we often do…neglects to ask God's guidance, allowing his instincts to guide his decision-making process, thus judging “as man sees”.  Before Samuel acts, God quickly corrects him to see as God sees…looking not at the appearance but into the heart. Samuel was operating under some stress at the time. Saul, whom he had anointed, was still king. If news got out that Samuel was anointing a replacement without the king’s knowledge, the prophet’s life would be on the line. We, too, make some of our worst decisions under stress, forgetting to consult God.  May God catch our attention as quickly he did Samuel's when, under whatever stresses that may affect us, we forget to consult God with our decisions.

Reading II, Ephesians 5:8-14 Somewhat akin to the lesson of the first reading, Paul cautions the people of the Ephesus region to seek the light of God to guide their way of thinking and decisions in contrast to questionable philosophies which abounded in the Greek society of the day (see Eph 5:6 preceding these verses). How can we learn what is pleasing to the Lord? The answer lies in becoming familiar with the word of God, and seeking guidance through the Word and through prayer. Then we can see things in the light of God.

Comments

[sr Cynthia Thompson]

Great stuff Father. I am particularly struck by the movement which is evident in the stages of revelation to the blind man of who Jesus is...similar to last Sunday's reading of Samaritan woman. Recognised as man, prophet, teacher/Rabbi and divinity. Again too there is great entrenchment of blindness on part of the Pharisees.
Thanks again. I enjoy and look forward to these.
Shalom