Sunday Readings
March 2, 2008 :: Fourth Sunday of Lent
Scripture
1 SAMUEL 16:1, 6 — 7, 10 — 13
God sees differently; young David is anointed King.
EPHESIANS 5:8 — 14
Before you were in the dark; now you are in the light.
JOHN 9:1 — 41
Jesus heals a man born blind; the Pharisees remain blind.
THEME
God chooses Jesse’s youngest son David to be anointed as king, even though others do not “see” David’s potential yet. When Jesus heals a man born blind, it is clear that he who was blind was able to “see” more clearly that the Pharisees, who supposedly have excellent sight. We all have been given the light of faith to see with; no longer spiritually blind, no longer walking in spiritual darkness.
FOCUSING OBJECT
A pair of glasses
REFLECTIONS
• Stevie Wonder, the famous singer and musician who is blind, once remarked that just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision. What do you think he meant? What do you think we need to learn from him?
• Jesus cured a man born blind. That man had more “vision” than the Pharisees, who could see. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach us about spiritual and physical blindness?
• What is the most incredible thing you have ever seen: a lunar eclipse? a rainbow? a shooting star? a peacock showing off its feathers? a butterfly on a flower? fireworks? How could you describe this incredible sight to a person who is blind?
• What do you think would be the most difficult part of being blind? If you are blind, talk about what the most difficult part is for you.
CLOSING
Creator God, Holy Parent,
We rejoice in our eyes,
These two tiny but marvelous gifts
That add so much to the fullness of our lives.
This gift of sight enlarges the world of our enjoyment
And magnifies our appreciation of nature,
Of great works of art,
Of the gifts of books and printing,
Of those persons we love,
And for this we are grateful.
We thank You also for the gift of insight
By which our spirit sees and understands.
We are especially thankful for Your Son, Jesus,
Who opened the eyes of the blind
And gave to a weary world New Sight.
Blessed are You, Creator God,
For this wondrous gift of sight.
Adapted from “Blessed Are You, Lord Our God, for the Wondrous Gift of Sight”
For complete Sunday reading go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/
In Touch With the Word: Lectionary-Based Prayer Reflections, by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart (Winona, MN: Saint Mary’s Press, 2004).
Copyright © 2004 by Saint Mary’s Press, www.smp.org.
All rights reserved. Used with permission of the publisher.