There has been much commentary over the centuries about Jesus’ use of saliva and mud to heal the man born blind. One of the most profound interpretations I have read reminds us that in Genesis, God made man out of “the dust of the ground.” (Gen 2:7) Jesus’ use of mud in the Gospel suggests that he is re-creating the blind man before him. The man receives a whole new life, such that even those who see him after his healing question whether he is the same person as before: “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” . . . “No, he just looks like him.” Through this Gospel, I’ve come to believe that Jesus is inviting us to see that every time he touches us in the sacraments, we are inwardly recreated, inwardly renewed. As we come to this midway point in Lent, let’s open our eyes to the ways God is waiting to meet us with his healing love in the sacraments, and avail ourselves of this amazing grace.
Our first reading offers a powerful reminder that although humans see what’s on the outside, God looks at our hearts. While the prophet Samuel thought surely God’s hand was on Jesse’s oldest son, God chooses David, the youngest, who was out tending the sheep. In the Gospel, the Pharisees look at the man born blind and think he is a sinner, born from sinners. But underneath is a man whom Jesus sends (the name of the pool that Jesus instructs him to go wash in means “Sent”) to bear witness to all that God has done for him. God often chooses the unlikeliest (in our eyes) persons to be the messengers of his Gospel. At times we may wonder why God has chosen us or feel ourselves lacking in the qualities needed to lead others to the Lord. In those moments, let’s trust that through our baptism and confirmation, the Lord has put his Spirit in us and has equipped us for the work of sharing the Gospel.
The lyrics “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see,” from the hymn Amazing Grace is based in part on today’s Gospel reading. The man born blind says, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Locate a favourite rendition of this song and use it in your prayer time this week, reflecting on the ways God has brought you greater spiritual vision and inner renewal this Lent.
