Gospel for March 19 2023 – John 9:1-41
Gospel Reflections for March 19 2023
Open your eyes…
In today’s Gospel Jesus meets a man who was tragically born blind. There is a happy ending for him …and for you in this Gospel.
In those days, any handicap was considered a punishment from God for some sinful behavior. People even believed your handicap could even come from your parent’s sin. How sad is that!
Jesus debunks all those ideas. You can be grateful for that! Blindness from birth is a natural handicap unrelated to any sinful behavior by anyone.
Jesus is glad to restore this man’s sight, but He also wants to open the eyes of those who think they see clearly …but do not.
Clear vision, or knowing what is actually going on around you is the very definition of good mental health. Getting things out of perspective, exaggerating issues, or holding superstitious ideas is not good vision. Getting the crowd to see accurately is Our Lord’s goal in this Gospel.
This is also Our Lord’s helpful lesson for anyone facing challenging relatives, co-workers, or neighbors. Jesus invites you to open your eyes and see these people for who they actually are as well.
Bad behavior of others often makes people lose their temper when they meet unexpected rudeness or insults.
Opening your eyes as Our Lord invites you to do can change how you respond. After all, people who act in a rude or hurtful manner today …probably did so yesterday as well …and will probably do so again tomorrow. That is who they are.
Thinking they will be somehow magically different tomorrow is simply not seeing the truth of who they are. Recognizing the actual truth of those around you restores good mental health and the kind of honest vision that Our Lord wants for you.
This new habit can help a lot. Anticipating that hurtful people you know will act in a hurtful way again helps you not to be so shocked or surprised when they do. Therefore, your response will be more calm, rational, and probably more effective.
Knowing that Our Lord is with you also helps. He has been with you in the past, is with you now, and will be in the future. Never lose sight of that truth!
Lent is the right time to open your eyes to see the truth of your world.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Over the years, I’ve given a lot of thought to this subject….
People are unique!
Truth is solid!
Jesus is with us!.
Thank you so much for your purposeful reflection.
God bless.
Kathleen
I am glad you liked it.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus’ way of life, love and forgiveness!!! When I was in debating at Marymount college I also learned a good lesson,!!! When at odds with issues, Never attack the person but beautifully attack the issue as with abortion, being pro life, the border, Ukraine, etc. and perhaps we can win the person over!!! We need to grow everyday in Jesus’ love and make the world beautiful!!! Do one beautiful good deed every day and change the world in love!!!! Lovweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and love all you are doing Father Dave!!! You are making the world beautiful in Jesus’ LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
My wife is languishing in a Hospital receiving great care from Nurses and Doctors that amazes me with their Skill and ability. I attend as often as possible and pray for her health to improve so She can return Home. I watch as the attendants take care of her needs and comfort while there and admire what they do. Appreciation for them and the care they give is overwhelming.
Lord give me the grace and Love required to sustain her in her time of need. Amen.
Please be assurred of my prayers for her! How wonderful that she is receiving such great care from the doctors and nurses …and from you too!
Beautifully praying for your precious wife and you Tom!!! You are a beautiful husband praying and taking such precious care of your beautiful wife!!!Love all those wonderful people helping her!!! May our precious Jesus heal her in His loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Yes!
This is so spot on to what I have been going through recently especially the past weeks. The temptation is to always give a “benefit of the doubt” to these kinds of people and in the process become even more disappointed.
I will keep this line in mind “Thinking they will be somehow magically different tomorrow is simply not seeing the truth of who they are. Recognizing the actual truth of those around you restores good mental health and the kind of honest vision that Our Lord wants for you.”
Thank you, Father! I will share your Gospel reflection at our prayer meeting tomorrow.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope your Prayer Group enjoys it as well.
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half-shut afterwards.
Clever phrase from one of our nation’s founders.