4th Sunday in Lent A

4th Sunday in Lent A – None so blind

Firstly let me say Happy Mother’s Day to every woman in our congregation. Yes – every woman. Because it was pointed out to me in this past week that every woman is a mother in some way or other to the people around them. In their care, consideration, support and love. So again I say, Happy Mother’s Day to you all and I hope that today is extra special for each and every one of you.

There is none so blind as he who will not see. How true this is and we can use this celebration today to make the point. How much of what our mothers do for us or have done for us, do we really see and acknowledge? How much do we really notice and take in the measure of the worth and the impact of every little kind word, gesture or act, done with no other reason than love?

We do not see what is there before us within our own families and this may explain why we do not see what Jesus is offering us with and through His life, His teachings, His suffering, His death and His eventual resurrection.

We are like the nine from ten lepers who were cured and then ran off without giving thanks to Jesus or even any form of acknowledgement of God’s intervention in their lives. They were cured of leprosy but retained their blindness of faith.

And so too the Scribes, Elders and Pharisees in today’s gospel. They were more blind than the blind man that Jesus cured. They refused to see Jesus for who He was. They refused to see the work of God in the miracle before them. They chose to be blind and to remain in the darkness of their ignorance. They preferred the shadows and the gloom in which they groped and staggered because they did so as loud and confident leaders of people they had convinced were more blind than they.

They refused to let any light shine in on their teachings and their workings because they knew that light would show them up for what they truly were – fraudsters, charlatans, cheats and cowards.

So, where in this gospel are we? Which of the characters do we align ourselves with? The blind man who can see again? His parents who have been blessed with a miracle on and for their son? Or as one of the many elders and Scribes, pontificating on what is holy and blessed and what is not? Have a few moments to think about this and think really hard and honestly. Which one of these characters is closest to the picture of me that I see in the mirror?

Do we see the beauty of the world around us? Do we see the problems within it and determine to do something about them? Do we appreciate the miracle of life, of living, of being with people with whom we can share this love and appreciation?

Are we able to see the miracle of God’s love in our children, in every word they speak and in everything that they do and thank God for their gift in our lives every day?

Or – or – am I someone who cannot see, maybe refuses to see – what is right there before my eyes – all of this wonder and beauty, all of the majesty of God’s creation? Am I someone who chooses not to see anything other than those pictures that fit in with my own restricted and reduced view of the world, of mankind, of humanity, of God?

There is none so blind as they who will not see what is right there before their very eyes, in the clearest of daylight, sharp and clear, pure and unadulterated. The miracle of God’s love for us is shown in every aspect of our lives and the living of them – if we but choose to take off our blinkers and look. If we choose to accept the true sight that God gives us every time we come to receive the Holy Eucharist – This is My Son the Beloved, listen to Him, recognise Him, take Him into your heart and soul and let Him live within you. As Ray Stevens very eloquently sang,

“Everything is beautiful in its own way.
Like the starry summer night, or a snow-covered winter's day.
Everybody's beautiful in their own way.
Under God's heaven, the world's gonna find the way.

There is none so blind as he who will not see.
We must not close our minds; we must let our thoughts be free.

Amen

Bidding Prayers

1.       That we open our eyes to the miracles of God’s love alive in so much around us and share this vision with those we meet. Lord in your mercy

2.       That we make and take time to acknowledge the many miracles that God has made in our world and give thanks every day for them. Lord in your mercy

3.       That today we give thanks for our mothers and for every act of kindness and support they have given us and take time today to return some of this with our own love and appreciation. Lord in your mercy

4.       That countries blinded by their own wants and fears, open their eyes and hearts to seek peace and reconciliation with neighbours. Lord in your mercy

5.       That those who are sick in mind, body, or spirit be given the vision to see where our prayers and help are coming from and grow in strength, confidence and wellbeing. Lord in your mercy

6.       That those who have died recently are welcomed into the arms of Christ and see the vision of His glory for all eternity. We remember Frank Morris whose funeral was last week and Peggy McAllister whose funeral is on Monday 3rd April at 11.00. It would be great if we could fill the church for our oldest and much-loved-parishioner. Lord in your mercy

7.       And we ask Mary our Mother, to day when we celebrate Mother’s Day, to intercede for us as we now pray together, Hail Mary, full of grace . . . .