Friday Fourth Week of Lent
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1 Sam. 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, Psalm 23:1-6, Eph. 5:8-14, John 9:1-41
We are born into this world spiritually blind. The taint of original sin accompanies us from the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb. It is through the waters of baptism that we are washed clean and receive the light of Christ as symbolized by the Paschal candle. Spiritual sight is restored, but not for long. Because we are human and live in a fallen world, darkness and sin enter in and make a home, snuffing out the light. However, we must make a conscious decision to allow the light of Christ to permeate the darkness and restore what was lost.
In 2018, I was going through some difficulties in my marriage, and I was struggling with seeing where the Lord was in all of it. I felt desperation and hopelessness. While visiting family in El Paso, we attended Mass, and I offered the Mass up for my marriage. During the consecration, I begged the Lord to show me His face, and He came to me in a very personal way. I felt a deep sense of warmth, tenderness, and love. I came to Mass that day with a longing to be seen, known, and loved (without conditions and without reservations), and the Lord fulfilled it.
With mustard seed-sized faith and the 5 words, “Jesus, show me your face,” the scales fell from my eyes, and the light of His presence filled my heart with renewed faith and hope. The blind man’s words in this week’s gospel became my own, “I do believe, Lord.”
There will be times in our lives when we may experience spiritual blindness, but if we are willing, the Lord will take us by the hand and lead us out of darkness and into the light.
I’ll leave you with a verse from one of my favorite Catholic hymns, “You are Mine”:
I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night
I will be your light
Come and rest in me
Maria Rhodes and her husband, Gary, have been married for 20 years. They met as teens during a youth group meeting at Holy Family. They have four children: Grace (18), Atticus (17), Chloe (15), and Victoria (13). Maria and Gary are excited about all of the opportunities for fellowship and community at Holy Family.
