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Sunday, March 26, 2017

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Fourth Sunday of Lent


1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13
Ephesians 5:8-14
Psalm 23:1-6
John 9:1-41

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sight for sore eyes

"Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart." —1 Samuel 16:7

There is a human way of seeing and a divine way of seeing. Because we have been baptized into Christ Who is God, we can share in God's divine way of seeing (see 2 Pt 1:4). However, we will have "the eyes of our hearts" (Eph 1:18, our transl) enlightened by God only if we live our Baptisms. This means:

  • loving God, our brothers and sisters in Christ, our neighbors, and even our enemies, for "the man who hates his brother is in darkness. He walks in shadows, not knowing where he is going, since the dark has blinded his eyes" (1 Jn 2:11),
  • rejecting worldly ways to avoid being blinded by the god of the present age (2 Cor 4:4), that is, secular humanism,
  • going to Confession regularly so as not to be blinded by sin,
  • being rejected by those blind to their blindness (see Jn 9:22; 9:39-41),
  • finally seeing Jesus as He is (1 Jn 3:2), and
  • finally seeing God "face to face" (1 Cor 13:12).

"Jesus said: 'I came into this world to divide it, to make the sightless see and the seeing blind' " (Jn 9:39). "But blest are your eyes because they see" (Mt 13:16).

Prayer:  Father, when I renew my baptismal promises in three weeks, may I see in the fullness of my baptismal graces.

Promise:  "Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." —Eph 5:14

Praise:  "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world."

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Spiritual Blindness, order, listen to or download our CD 65-1 or DVD 65 on our website or order our tape on audio AV 65-1 or video V 65.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2016

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