by Sister Carolyn Zahringer
The readings for this weekend are packed with Lenten food for thought.
In the first reading the Lord directs Samuel to see with his heart; Samuel listens and identifies a young shepherd named David to be king.
In the second reading, St. Paul directs us to “live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
In the Gospel Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath. Work is forbidden on the Sabbath, but this healing act was more important for Jesus than the letter of the law. Jesus lived by the law of love and invites us to do the same.
The Communion Antiphon is a great summary of the Gospel reading -- “The Lord anointed my eyes: I went, I washed, I saw and believed in God.”
May we each continue the journey of Lent day by day, moment by moment, with open eyes.
The reading from St. Paul inspires me to share the following quote from George Eliot: "I have a belief of my own, and it comforts me... that by desiring what is perfectly good, even when we don't quite know what it is and cannot do what we would, we are part of the divine struggle against evil--widening the skirts of light and making the struggle with darkness narrower."
Your message meant a lot. God has been good to me regarding not just my life but also my sight. I've had Macular Degeneration for 10 years that has remained stable with the help of God through the wonderful gifts given to the doctors I see. God does marvelous work.
"How has God’s grace moved me to a new understanding or deeper belief?"
I am always more 'blind' than I realize, i.e., more unaware, more ignorant, more prejudiced and biased, less insightful, less 'open ...' I must name and claim my own particular 'blindness' every day in order to be among those JESUS came to anoint and re-create with the holy mixture of his saliva and earth's soil, so that I may "see JESUS more clearly, follow JESUS more nearly, love JESUS more dearly." And in this, know, love, and serve God and humanity more completely.
Yes we are children of the light, Jesus is our light. We are encouraged to let our light shine....
Excellent reflection, Carrie. Clear, concise and memorable. Have you heard those words before?