18 November 2013
Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Blindness has always served as an indication of for lack of sight, both physical sight and the ability to understand what is occurring. Although the physiological reasons for blindness are complex, the allegory for sight, one that would be used and understood by those who heard today’s Gospel of Jesus curing the blind man, would be one of providing light where there was once darkness.
Jesus’ cure provides a man with sight, and the work of Jesus in the church that he established continues that mission by providing some light in not a few dark areas. Sometimes the light is not welcome since it exposes patterns and decisions that some would rather have kept in the dark. Sometimes that light shines on some of the actions and decisions of the members of the church itself.
However and wherever that light of Christ shines, its singular purpose is one of revelation, reveling humanity’s true purpose as union with a loving God. Our job is both to receive this illumination and share the light with others in whatever way we can, recalling that even the smallest light dispels the darkness.