In the healing of the blind we hear the question: Who sinned?
To be sick by birth was a sign of God's punishment in Judaism or generally in the eastern religions. Not only disease, but some unexpected “disasters” are also counted among them. And many believe that still.
Recently I have read, some Christians explaining the events in Japan - the tsunami and the nuclear disaster - or war and unrest in some countries in this manner. The suffering of many people is interpreted as God's punishment and as a sign of the end of the world. Many are still looking for a cause - "who has sinned."
Can it really be so? It is clear that mankind is doing much against the order of nature created by God. But is every disaster really coming from God? In know it's certainly a complicated question.
One thing we can understand from today's Gospel:
Jesus takes distance from such theories.
He is not going in search of the “cause”.
He teaches us to think and act - differently today.
For Jesus, disease or suffering is not an opportunity to separate people from God. But he understands their needs (especially the comfort of God, when people are denying it) and uses it as an occasion for the glorification of God.
God is not the cause of certain disease. But he can really heal them.
This is the teaching of Jesus.
Why are we looking again and again a "Scapegoat"?
The Jews celebrates a ritual every year- the Day of Atonement.
„And putting both hands upon his (goat’s) head, let him (Aaron) confess all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their offences and sins: and praying that they may light on his (goat’s) head, he (Aaron) shall turn him (goat) out, by a man ready for it, into the desert. “ So we read in book of Leviticus 16, 21.
Many are fashioned like this. I think here in the gospel, we see this mentality. Not only then but even today we often seek a "scapegoat".
But the most important task is forgotten, that is shown by Jesus. Namely, we should help each other. They refused to do good. They refuse even a good action by Jesus. The neighbours and the Pharisees in the Gospel represent a certain kind of people, our world.
Jesus will bring the Good News.
The opposing opinions and criticism do not make him tired.
He seeks and finds God's will.
Here it is the healing of blind man.
Therefore Jesus was a prophet for the healed Man, as Jesus was courageous. His logic is sound and correct, because he experienced Jesus and his salvation personally.
Jesus brings before us so many questions, especially during this Lent.
What do we do? What do we prevent?
Are our activities and thoughts positive and encouraging?
Do we strive to help people in need?
Or do we seek a “cause” for their suffering and we explain it as punishment from God - punishment for their lives?
Are we avoiding these people?
Lent is an invitation to be more and more human.
This is the Good News of Jesus for us.
In humanity, we recognize not only people but also our God, closer and deeper ... as merciful Father ... as the healer and Saviour.
Let's try to be positive and helping in our thoughts and actions.
That should be our special goal in this 4th Week of Lent (Laetare).
This should give us the real "joy".
May God the Father of Mercy bless us all and be close to us. Amen.
--
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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