March 15, 2026 at Saint Peter the Apostle, Saint William Churches in Naples, FL
1 Samuel 16: 1, 6-7, 10-23 + Psalm 23 + Ephesians 5: 8-14 + John 9: 1-41
Light and Darkness are in a constant struggle in John’s Gospel. Last week a woman came in the middle of the day following the story of Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the middle of the night. Just before these verses today, Jesus said: “I am the light of the world.” Today, that Light of the World sees a man who has lived his whole life in darkness.
Through all the dialogue and questioning by the Pharisees, we see this man who has physical sight gradually come to spiritual sight. He could see with his eyes the man who healed him. By the end of the story, the man now sees fully, physically and spiritually as he proclaims his newfound recognition and belief in Jesus Christ.
Remember, there are no “miracles” in John’s Gospel. He never uses that word. This is one of the seven “signs” that frame John’s Gospel. Just as before with the story of the woman at the well, this is a story told to reveal and confirm the identity of Jesus Christ. But, more than that. There is no stopping with identity. Once the identity is confirmed, the mission unfolds. We cannot stop by simply declaring our belief in Jesus Christ. The proof or evidence that we believe comes when we take up his mission in this world, and that requires spiritual sight.
We may not be spiritually blind like those Pharisees who thought they could see but could not. We must work and pray for a kind of wholeness that provides both physical and spiritual sight. Physical sight lets us see bread and wine. Spiritual sight sees the precious body and blood of Christ. Physical sight lets us see the homeless. Spiritual sight lets us see a helpless but loved child of God. Physical sight lets us see immigrants among us. Spiritual sight lets us see deep into their souls, friendless and frightened, only wanting the opportunities for their children that ours have had.
At the end of this story, Jesus, having heard that the man had been thrown out of the synagogue breaking all ties of friendship and support goes to find him. It is a lesson for us, the Church. To be prophetically compassionate and fulfill the mission Jesus began and handed on to us. We are to seek out those who have been excluded and with them work toward a future when all of God’s children recognize each other and worship together in a spirit of justice, love, and grace.