Ask for the gift of wisdom!

Homily for the 4th Sunday of the Lenten Season. It was the very first time Mass was recorded to be shared on social media as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

* * * * *

In today's Gospel passage we find a blind man being able to see and many other people who – though they could see – reveal to be blind.

Enough to see this:

• the neighbours who helped the blind man daily they had probably labelled him as “the blind man”. Once healed they did not know who he was anymore. Labels do make people blind;
• his own parents, blinded by fear, they would only testify he was born blind but would not say a word on how he was able to see; 
• the Jews, blinded by their own religious ideas, convinced that a man born blind or someone who heals on a Sabbath must be a sinner they would not accept what was in front of their eyes.

On the other side, the man born blind shows that together with being able to see with his own eyes, he is able to grow deeper and deeper in faith.

Like the Samaritan woman who last Sunday spoke of Jesus:

• first as a Jew
• then someone maybe greater than Jacob
• then ... “I see you are a prophet”
• and finally "could it be he is the Messiah?"

This man starts from talking about him as “a man named Jesus”, to “a prophet” and finally “the Son of man”. 

Our country together with the whole world experiences the need to see clearly during this particular time as we go through the pandemic of the Coronavirus

It is therefore important that:

• we do not close ourselves in our own ideas like the Jews in the Gospel
• we do not feel too self confident as if we already have every answer 
• we do not just listen to what we want to hear 
• but we make sure we listen to God and to each other 
• his Word is revealed both in the Bible and through us – this is what we see in the Acts of the Apostles when...

This is a time to grow deeper in our faith as we do not have the usual spiritual support of coming together, celebrating Mass together, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. As we miss what we won't have for a while, we should ask the Lord HELP US SEE what it is we definitely can do to deepen our being one with him.

We refuse to face this time with fear. The Lord is with us! We have made a clear choice to face it – not with fear – but making choices out of love.

As the Lenten Season is always a reminder that Jesus gave up his own life so that WE may have life and life to the full, we need to ask ourselves what WE are ready to do for the life of our brothers and sisters.

For example, through our not coming together, we protect the life of the most vulnerable in our society. We refuse to put their lives at risk and therefore we sacrifice ourselves like Jesus for the life of all.

I do hope and pray that the life of Jesus you have received daily or every Sunday in the Eucharist become your strength to do and be like Jesus.

... and pray! Pray for me as the bishop of this diocese. Pray for all the bishops and all the world leaders. May the Lord grant us daily the gift of wisdom.