blind man's bluff?
Jesus said: "I came into this world to divide it, to make the sightless see and the seeing blind." —John 9:39
The man born blind was still blind after he was healed of blindness, for he was spiritually blind. At first, like billions of people in this world, he had no idea where Jesus was (see Jn 9:12). Later, the man born blind was partially healed of blindness. Like one billion Muslims, he recognized Jesus as a prophet (Jn 9:17), but was blind to Jesus' divinity. Finally, the physically healed blind man was healed spiritually. He accepted and worshipped Jesus as the Son of Man and the Son of God (Jn 9:35-37).
Many of us have been healed of some physical or spiritual blindness, but that doesn't mean we are healed of all blindness. If you are blind to being blind and insist that you can see, then your sin and blindness remain (Jn 9:41). Ask Jesus to heal you of all blindness.
Today is Laetare Sunday, that is, Rejoice Sunday. The blind have reason to rejoice only if they know they're blind and then turn to Jesus. "Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)
Prayer: Father, may I see as You see — not just the appearance but the heart (1 Sm 16:7).
Promise: "Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." —Eph 5:14
Praise: Praise Jesus, the Healer of the blind and the risen Savior of the world!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998