A Lenten Examination of Our Spiritual Sight 1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13°; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41 (Lent A / 4)

 

A Lenten Examination of Our Spiritual Sight

 

1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13°; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41 (Lent A / 4)

 

“The man who lives by the truth comes into the light” (Divine Office)

 

On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Word of God challenges a deep human tendency—the tendency to judge people by what we see on the outside. When the prophet Samuel comes to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse, he is impressed by their appearance and strength. But the Lord corrects him with a striking reminder: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature… for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). We often measure others by visible qualities—status, success, or physical strength. But God sees the heart.

 

When the followers encounter a man born blind, they immediately ask Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (Jn 9:2). Their question reflects an ancient belief known as the theology of retribution—the idea that suffering must be the punishment for sin and prosperity the reward for goodness. We see this perspective in Deuteronomy, where obedience is linked with blessings and disobedience with curses. Even today, many cultures express a similar idea through the notion of karma, assuming that every instance of suffering must be the result of past wrongdoing.

 

But Jesus breaks this logic of blame. He answers, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him” (Jn 9:3). He concentrates on how God’s grace can be revealed. The suffering of the blind man becomes a manifestation of God’s healing power. Jesus moves the conversation away from judgment to mission. From a human perspective, David, the youngest and least impressive, seemed insignificant, yet God saw his heart. God’s choices often contradict human expectations. Society tends to value people based on success, productivity, wealth, or influence. But Jesus reminds us that human dignity does not depend on these external conditions.

 

In “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love), Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that love of neighbor is a fundamental responsibility of every Christian. When we encounter suffering, our response cannot be indifference or judgment but concrete charity. Likewise, in “Laudato Si’” Praise Be to You, My Lord), Pope Francis emphasizes that every creature and every human person possesses goodness given by God. In “Fratelli Tutti” (All Brothers and Sisters), he calls the world to rediscover fraternity, affirming that every human being has the right to live with dignity and to develop fully within the community.

 

Jesus invites us to participate in God’s work (Jn 9:4). Our task as Christians is not to judge the wounded but to help heal them, not to condemn the struggling but to support them. It should build the common good—serving the poor, supporting the sick, strengthening families, and promoting justice and compassion within our communities. The blind man eventually came to recognize Jesus and profess faith in him, while those who believed themselves spiritually enlightened remain blind. The real blindness in today’s Gospel story is not physical but spiritual—the inability to see with the heart. As we continue our Lenten journey, Jesus invites us to examine our own vision. Do we judge people by appearances, or do we see them as God sees them? If Christ opens our eyes, we will move from judgment to compassion and from indifference to service. Then, through our lives, the works of God will truly become visible in our community.

 

“Praise God in his wonderful works.” (Divine Office)