2026 Cycle A - 4th Sunday in Lent

Readings

4th Sunday in Lent

1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a;  Psalm 23;  Ephesians 5: 8-14; John 9: 1-41 or Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

Homily Theme

Lord that I may See

In the readings this week, Samuel is told by God not to judge by appearances in Choosing the anointed King. Not as man sees, does God see, because man sees by appearances but God sees into the heart. In the psalm, we are encouraged if we are walking through a dark valley that Jesus will be our guide and shepherd. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Ephesians, and us, that Jesus will be our light. In the Gospel, Jesus heals the man born blind.

Did you ever play the game of Blind Man’s Bluff as a youngster? You had to be blind folded and then spun around by your friends, and then, without seeing, find somebody to touch, who then became blindfolded in your place. Once again you could see in the light, the antics of the one now blinded. It is like that in real life, as those that have received the light of Christ, watch those who are blindfolded by their lack of faith. They stumble around trying to see where they are going in life. They are truly blind for they judge by appearances only. Today in the Gospel, Jesus heals the man born blind, but the ones who are really blindfolded, are the Pharisees who judge by appearances. The blind man receives faith as well as sight but the Pharisees are spiritually blind and are unable to see the Christ in Jesus. They are like those who are blindfolded, stumbling around, believing they are touching the truth.

In choosing our anointed ones, those to whom we give power, do we play the game of Blind Man’s Bluff? We have had many months watching candidates on our television screens. Do we see them as God sees them? Samuel was told by God, in today’s first reading not to judge by appearances. It can be very confusing when we don’t really pray before we make judgments, then we only see what appears to us as good. God does not judge any of us by external appearances, nor should we. Choosing political and spiritual leaders is much more serious than a youthful game. It is about the future of our world and often of our own final destiny. Pray before you ever cast a political vote: it does effect millions of lives including your own.

This week, let us reach out to touch Jesus like the Blind man in the Gospel, so that He can remove our Blindfold that prevents us from truly seeing ourselves and others as He sees us.

As I write this Homily, I will soon  celebrating m  my 51th Anniversary of Ordination to the priesthood. Please pray for me so that I may truly practice what I preach to others.

Lord that I may see