John 9 - The Man Born Blind

This was one of the first Scriptures that I ever did Lectio Divina. Really placing yourself into the Gospel through slow and repeated reading.

The man born blind was just living his life when he was noticed by the disciples following Jesus around. In the culture of the time, afflictions (such as blindness) were seen as a punishment. Either this man or someone in his family had sinned and God had to punish. However, Jesus corrects this line of thinking with an insight, this man's blindness existed as an opportunity for God to work. Hence, the miracle of restoring the blind man's sight.

But, that's not where Lectio moved me to meditate. Place yourself in his shoes and go through this encounter. Confusion as Jesus uses common and boring material things (dirt and His own saliva) in order to heal something that was so critical, so inhibiting. (Side: Here we see the Sacraments. Common and every day boring things that impact/heal/change our very souls! What a meditation!)

That confusion turns to joy when the ailment was healed! The man born blind can see and no longer be thought of as "someone punished by God."

But that joy turns into a little anxiety. Everyone questions how this happened. They aren't overjoyed at the healing ... they want answers about the guy who did it. Not only that, they seem hostile toward the One who brought the healing. They're even threatening to kick him out and exclude him because of his contact with the Healer. Frustration is felt. The Pharisees want him to turn on the only One who could help him!

After constant questioning, he finally realizes ... they aren't listening, they just want to hate on Him who healed me. The building frustration is finally expressed: "He answered them, 'I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?'"

Finally, after being through the ringer and feeling alone and dejected (I imagined him sitting in public against a building with his head down), Jesus walks up to him again. This last conversation is very sweet.

Overall, we encounter Jesus through the Sacraments. Normal everyday stuff that actually heals and changes us (which most of the time we don't even consider these amazing effects). And then the world tries to pick it apart. "Jesus doesn't help." "Jesus is bad." "You need to turn on Jesus." It can leave us feeling very alone and dejected.

But if we place ourselves in a spot where He can find us (prayer), we can come face to face with our Healer and He'll be able to speak with us about all this. Christ truly is the Divine Physician and it enrages the world who wants to keep you a prisoner; addicted to its pleasures and allurements.

During this time of repose (quarantines), put yourself in a spot to encounter Christ. He wants to meet with you and explain all this to you in a real and personal way.