The Unauthorized Homily

By Bill Dunn

A commentary on the Scripture readings from the Sunday Lectionary

(Gospel reading for Sunday, March 2nd: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41)

BLIND MAN SEES IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus healed a man born blind. As usual, the Pharisees had a conniption. Their anger was due partly to the fact that Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath, but mostly because, well, because it was Jesus.

The Pharisees had decided long before this event that Jesus was a threat to their power and prestige and so, no matter what the evidence, they had to stop Him. No matter how many things Jesus said or did to prove that He was sent by God, the Pharisees would not be persuaded. They had made up their minds.

On the other hand, the man born blind had nothing to lose. He survived by begging. Everyone assumed his blindness was punishment for some awful sin and treated him with disdain. He had no prestige or power. Therefore, his opinion about Jesus was not clouded by jealousy or selfishness or pride, like the Pharisees.

As this week’s rather long reading progresses, the blind man’s understanding about Jesus grows. First, he refers to Him as, “The man called Jesus.” He’s just a man. The blind man didn’t know Jesus from Adam Sandler.

A little later when the Pharisees were grilling him about the healing, the man said of Jesus, “He is a prophet.” By making such a big deal about the whole thing, the Pharisees caused the man to think more about it, and he realized that Jesus was more than just that “man.”

Then, after the Pharisees insulted the man and threw him out of the synagogue, he recognized Jesus as the “Son of Man.”

Finally, we read: “He said (to Jesus), ‘I do believe, Lord,’ and he worshipped him.”

The man born blind called Jesus “Lord,” and worshipped Him. The Pharisees, religious scholars supposedly devoted to serving God, called Jesus evil and plotted to kill Him.

At the end of this week’s reading, Jesus explained, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

People who seem to have it all—looks, brains, wealth, power, prestige—are often blinded by their success. Everything is so wonderful, they don’t realize their need for a savior.

People who are down and out—lacking acclaim, influence, or prosperity—often understand their weakness quite well, and know they need a savior.

This is why Ted Turner called Christianity a “religion for losers.” And why Bill Gates said that going to church on Sunday mornings is an inefficient use of valuable time. (Just think of the extra millions that can be made if those couple of hours each week are used to plot business strategy rather than worship God. Time is money, you know.)

Do guys like Ted Turner and Bill Gates think they need a savior? Not likely. “A savior from what?” they might respond. They’ve got money and fame and power—what else do they need?

They’re like the Pharisees, well-respected and successful, proud and arrogant. They’re blind to their sinfulness, and blind to their mortality. As a result, they see no reason to trust in Jesus, the one who can wash away sin and give eternal life.

Although it may be true in Bill Gates’ world that time is money, it is also true that time marches on. And at some point in time—a lot sooner than we usually expect—everyone, even Bill Gates, will reach his or her deathbed. At that moment, it won’t matter how many billions you’re worth or how many monuments have been erected in your name. At that moment, your eternal fate will depend upon whether you were able to see your need for Jesus.

It really doesn’t take much to avoid spiritual blindness. Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, Jesus said.

A sincere prayer like the following can turn things around: Dear Jesus, I need you. I’m a sinner and I’m separated from God. I believe that you died to pay the price for my sins and that you rose from the grave, conquering death once and for all. I ask you please to forgive my sins, and I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I pray that you come into my heart and guide my life, and I joyfully trust in your promise to give the gift of eternal life to those who have faith in you. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Just before Jesus healed the man born blind, He proclaimed, “I am the light of the world.” For those who are spiritually blind, such as the Pharisees and some of our modern-day moguls, this pronouncement makes no sense. All they can see is darkness.

But to those with spiritual vision, Jesus is like a 10,000 watt spotlight piercing the midnight darkness. Being able to see His light leads to eternal life.

*  *  *

(Special programming note: my parish is hosting a series of Lenten lectures. In a moment of extremely poor judgment, our pastor agreed to let me give one of the talks. If you’re anywhere near Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Harwinton, Conn.—corner of Rtes. 4 and 118—next Wednesday, March 5th, at 7 p.m, feel free to stop by. My presentation is titled: “Jesus Christ: The Most Politically Incorrect Person in History.” In violation of every Catholic rule on the books, there will NOT be a collection. But in keeping with the theme of my talk, I will try to offend as many people as possible.)

©2008