Man Born Blind Meditation

The Man Born Blind “As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.” Though created in the image of God, every human person is limited, finite, fallible: before the infinite goodness of God, we are small, sinful, broken. Since the fall, we humans have a tendency to view the world mostly in terms of our own needs and desires. Yet God does not abandon us: God looks at us, SEES us, and loves us even in our sinfulness, our wretchedness and suffering, though we may disregard Him and all His ways. When have you realized that you cannot do everything you desire– that you have limits and that ultimately you are not in control? How do you feel about being reliant on others? On God?

“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible in him.” What are the difficult circumstances of your life? How might God be glorified in these circumstances? Do you trust Him? “Endowed with ‘a spiritual and immortal’ soul, the human person is ‘the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake.’ From his conception, he is destined for eternal beatitude [happiness].” CCC #1703 We exist to give glory to God: even our brokenness is an occasion for God’s glory! St. Ignatius of Loyola believed that man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God – to glorify God – and by this means to save his soul. Created things are only to support us in this one end, which is our deepest desire. We must not, therefore, prefer health over sickness, riches over poverty, honor over dishonor: instead we must accept the circumstances of our lives, choosing only that which leads to the glory of God.

“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible in him.” Are we guilty for judging others by their weaknesses, finding ourselves somehow superior, better than they are.

He understands…! BETRAYED They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said,  “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” He understands…!

“One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” “Man’s freedom is limited and fallible. In fact, man failed. He freely sinned. By refusing God’s plan of love, he deceived himself and became a slave to sin. This first alienation engendered a multitude of others. From its outset, human history attests the wretchedness and oppression born of the human heart in consequence of the abuse of freedom.” CCC 1739 “Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. “ St. Gregory of Nyssa What holds you “captive” in your life right now? Do you wish to live “free”? What does it “feel like” to know you are “wrong” – and yet to be seen, forgiven – and loved deeply, just as you are?

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him… No longer blind, the man believes in Jesus – and bows down in worship. Heart meets heart. He is free. He is loved. He is home.

The Man Born Blind “It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.” “The Word became flesh so that we might know God’s love: ‘In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.’ ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ CCC #458 What have been the “miracles” of your own life? Have you been healed? “Do you want to become his disciples, too?” “The more one does what is good the freer one becomes. There is not true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to ‘the slavery of sin.’ CCC #1733 “The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.’ ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life...” …Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example. CCC #459 Do you wish to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? How would a habit of regular Confession help?