25. Sonntag im JK A – Mt 20, 1-16a

25. Sonntag im JK A – Mt 20, 1-16a

4th Sunday in Lent – A- Jn 9, 1-41

We do often criticize others. That is a fact.
Some people are very direct here, others come through, 'back doors'.
Criticism is of great importance in a modern and democratic world.
Certain things comes to light through it -
that displeases or that needs to be improved.
A critique can help, but it can also destroy.
Therefore criticizing is an art which needs learning and practice. This should be done at the right moment. It should be accurate, clear, positive, honest and benevolent.

It is also not easy to live with constant criticism as it can insecure a person. Therefore, modern science tells, that the children should not always and constantly criticized. It will disturb their natural development when they are exposed to constant pressure. Of course, one can deny this and can discuss about it for hours...

But let's get down to our Gospel.
Jesus faces criticisms many times during his earthly life.
The Gospel of this Sunday is one of many examples.
Jesus heals a blind man and the opinions about it are divided.
We find here people with different view points.

At first, this healing was cause for celebration.
But immediately after wards they searched for the reason of the blindness of this man and ask: Why is the man became blind?
If his sins or the sins of his parents made him blind?
Their search is really childish.
Even among such questions Jesus does not stop doing good.
He sees only the positive things and goes for it:
For him this disease is an occasion to reveal God's Glory.

The Pharisees accuse Jesus, that he healed the blind man on the Sabbath.
But at the same time they scold the blind man as he praises Jesus.
Is using such unholy words on the Sabbath holy and allowed? If it is a sin to help and heal a person? Here we see the bigotry of the Pharisees.

Jesus neither scolds nor defends himself.
He only says: These people see the truth and yet do not recognize this.
He warns them and all others: “Therefore your sin remains.”

St Paul draws a counter-image in his letter to Ephesians:
He writes about people who have given up the darkness and came to Christ to receive the light. He teaches: “Live as children of light.”
Yes, Christ brings light into our lives and in our views.
In and with Him we see the world better, even from a different angle,
but above all, with the eyes of mercy and kindness.
Christ does not spread hostility towards life,
for he himself directs our vision towards the people and the world .
As Paul writes, this 'Light' (Christ) brings goodness, righteousness and truth.

And in the book of Samuel we read that “the Lord looks at the heart” and not the external matters.

My dear ones,
these words are a relief for all those who are in Light & good in Heart.
The opinions of others may differ.
But all these opinions are irrelevant and wrong when we live in the Light of Christ and love others in the love of Jesus.
Yes, Christ teaches us today that we should use our words and our criticism positively and constructively. We must practice it over and over again-
in the family, in the work area and / or in the church.
He also tells us to do it with heart and love.
Let our words and our criticism bring light and life.
For Christ himself is light and life and THE WORD to the world.

Let us use our words & thoughts responsible.
May God bless us all - especially in this time of Lent. Amen !

--Thomas Kalathil4th Sunday in Lent – A- Jn 9, 1-41