First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
Reflection:
The First Reading this week continues the story of the Old Testament that we have been hearing throughout Lent. So far, the Old Testament readings during Lent have recounted to us the story of Creation and the Fall (at the beginning of time), the call of Abraham (approximately 2,000 B.C.), and the time of the Exodus (approximately 1,500 B.C.). Today, we fast forward to the anointing of David as king, which happened in about 1,000 B.C. After the Israelites had established themselves in the Promised Land, they eventually asked for a king. The Prophet Samuel had anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, but due to Saul’s disobedience to God, the kingdom was taken away from him and a new king was to be chosen. This king was David, who was chosen by God not because of his “appearance” or “lofty stature” but because of his “heart.” In fact, elsewhere in Scripture, David was described as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22).
The Davidic kingdom, established by the anointing of David as king of Israel, foreshadowed the kingdom of God made manifest through Jesus Christ. God made a covenant with David (one of five major covenants in the Old Testament) and promised David that his dynasty would last forever. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic dynasty. He came to establish the new and everlasting covenant. Jesus is the eternal king who will reign forever. He is in the line of David and, therefore, heir to the throne of David. But Jesus did not come to rule as an earthly king but, rather, as the King of the Universe. Jesus came to establish an eternal kingdom–the kingdom of heaven. We are invited to be a part of that kingdom through being members of the Church. Jesus is the perfect king who wants to rule in our hearts as the Lord of our lives. That means we are called to submit ourselves to Him and strive to follow Him in obedience wherever He leads us. We should follow David’s example by seeking to be people “after God’s own heart.” Jesus, as a good king, will never lead us astray. He always has what is best for us in mind.
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Reflection:
In this reading, we see the imagery of light and darkness being used to explain the spiritual life. Before Christ came into our lives, we were lost in the darkness of sin. Sin blinds us from seeing God and the world clearly. It leaves us wandering in the dark, trying to find our way. Yet, when Christ enters into our lives, He brings light into the darkness of sin. Just like when you light a candle or turn on a light in a pitch-black room, the light of Christ drives the darkness out. Just like darkness is the absence of light, sin is the absence of God. When Christ comes into our lives, he drives out the darkness of sin and fills us with the light that “produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” We become “children of the light” in Christ. This new identity calls us to a new way of life. We are to “live as children of light,” which means turning away from the darkness of sin.
Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41
Reflection:
The story of the Man Born Blind in today’s Gospel speaks to us about God’s power to heal. The story tells how Jesus miraculously gave sight to a man who had been blind since birth. Yet, there is more to this story than meets the eye. The blind man represents all of humanity. As a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve, we were all “born totally in sin.” As a result, we were spiritually blind and lost in the darkness of sin. Jesus came in order to open our eyes and free us from sin. He came to bring us into the light so that we can see clearly. The use of clay in the healing of the man born blind is reminiscent of the creation of Adam, who was brought forth “out of the clay of the ground” (Gen. 2:7). Thus, Jesus is illustrating in this miracle that He came in order to re-create us by freeing us from sin. Jesus explains, “I am the light of world.” Thus, His mission is to free people from the blindness of sin, taking them out of darkness and into light. This is further illustrated by the washing of the blind man in the Pool of Siloam, which means “Sent.” The pool represents Jesus because He was “sent” by the Father. It also prefigures baptism in which we are washed in the waters of regeneration and receive the light of Christ in our lives. This conversion also requires faith. Just like the blind man, we must trust Jesus to open our eyes, rather than being like the Pharisees who remained in spiritual blindness due to pride and, therefore, were stuck in the darkness of sin.
Application:
- Would you consider yourself to be a person “after God’s own heart”? In what areas of your life do you need to better submit to Jesus as the king of your heart? Come up with one specific action step to take to more fully give your heart over to Jesus as the Lord of your life.
- Have there been times in your life when spiritual blindness has been healed? In other words, have there been times when you were stuck in the darkness of sin, but then God opened your eyes to see His light and truth? Reflect on these times of spiritual healing in your life and thank God for them.
- What sins do you currently struggle with that cause spiritual blindness in your life? Ask God to bring healing in these areas of your life.
