Sermon Cloud

Throughout the Lenten period, the scriptures introduce us to some pretty interesting characters, and reveal quite a variety of stories, but one thing is held in common.  Every one of the biblical personalities spoken of in these weeks is invited to partake in a journey of faith.

In the news this week, the world was told that Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne returned home after spending a brief stint in Afghanistan with the British armed forces.  Given the fact that his deployment was kept secret for reasons of safety, a recent interviewer asked him whether he had told his family, in particular his grandmother the queen about the fact that he was being sent into active duty at the time he had received his orders. He responded, ‘No, she told me.’  Involvement in military life has long been a tradition among the British royals, and in the histories of many other families the world over.  Whether we are from privileged backgrounds or from the most destitute of cases, military training changes the character of the persons involved.

The scriptures introduce us today to David, who would be anointed king of all Israel.  In contrast to the life of privilege that the Windsors of Britain are known for, David was a sheep farmer (1 Sam 16:11).  The difference here is that God does not look at externals, at entitlements.  He looks at the heart, at the inward person and often chooses the one who is least aware of his own preparedness for the mission that lies ahead.

The gospel passage today recounts the encounter of Jesus with a man who was born blind (John 9:1-41).  In the time of Jesus, blindness meant that the one afflicted would live out his days at the mercy of others.  It was a life of utter poverty because he would have to beg for every shekel and would probably never be able to work for a wage.  Jesus didn’t just heal his blindness because he felt sorry for him.  Rather, John tells us that he performed this miracle so that his followers would understand that he, Jesus, had come into the world in order to bring light to those in darkness (Jn 9:3-5).

Even today, the work of enlightening the eyes of faith goes on.  Jesus invites every one of us to look beyond the visible, tangible realities we see and experience, and to discover God’s presence which is revealed in the light of faith.

Since last October, three young ladies have been journeying with us, learning about the Catholic faith and discerning God’s call for them to receive baptism and to be received into full communion with us at Easter.  In a few short weeks, they will come to the Easter Vigil in response to the call we hear in the second reading today, ‘Sleeper, awake.  Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you’ (Eph 5:14).  In the waters of baptism, two of these three ladies will be given the new life promised by our God, and through the Sacrament of Confirmation, they will all be given the gift of the Spirit.

Like the young son of the sheep farmer, like the blind man, they too will be called to live new lives, to rejoice in the light of faith, to allow Christ’s light to illumine their discernment and decision making and to guide them on the path he sets before them: a path which will see them in turn proclaim God’s goodness to friends, family and strangers alike.  Is this not the invitation we have all been given?  Is this not the inheritance prepared for each of us?