HIDDEN VALLEY: THE SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN

The Sunday of the Blind Man

John 9:1-38

“And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neitherhath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When He had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is He? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This Man is not of God, because He keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of Him, that He hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this Man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did He to thee? how opened He thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be His disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art His disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence He is. The man answered and said unto them, Whyherein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this Man were not of God, He could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him.” (KJV)

Hristos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Hristos a inviat! Adevarat a inviat

The Sunday of the Blind Man

God’s Holy Church proclaims the Gospel reading of the man born blind each year on this designated Sunday following Pascha. Attentive listeners of the Gospel learn that Jesus is the Light of the world.

Jesus brings light to the darkness in the world and to personal life. Residents of the world and individuals experiencing darkness in life will find light that heals in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The blind man experienced darkness in his life from the time of his birth. When Jesus entered the man’s life, the man’s darkness was removed and the man experienced the light of day.

The Lord Jesus Christ was the defining differencein the blind man’s life. Not all the people meeting the man born blind after he was healed were convinced and appreciative of Jesus Christ.

In today’s world there are many who are skeptical of the Lord Jesus Christ. Skeptics do not place value inJesus Christ’s healing power. Proof of Jesus Christ’s healing power comes through living in Christ.

The man born blind experienced Jesus’ healing powers and his life changed forever. The man confessed Jesus give him sight. Evidence of miracles attributed to Jesus Christ have been documented through the centuries.

Today is the opportunity to embrace the evidence and confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Light of the world. Much darkness exists in today’s world. It is very easy to get overwhelmed by the darkness.

Today’s Gospel proclaims Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Light of the world. Jesus Christ shines the way forward for the world and for daily life. Tragedies occurring daily reveal the deep darkness present in this world.

The Lord Jesus Christ offers hope, love and peace in times of darkness, mourning and violence. The Lord Jesus Christ offers light, healing and comfort to parents and to their sons and daughters.

The world’s darkness and darkness in personal lifecan seem overwhelming at times. Darkness on that Great and Holy Friday centuries ago affected all those present as Jesus hung on the Cross. (Lk.23:44)

Jesus Christ eradicated the darkness of the Crucifixion by His Resurrection. The Light of Christ replaced the darkness of death. The Resurrected Christ is the answer to the darkness in today’s world and in personal life as He has always been.

Now is the time to embrace life in the Resurrected Christ. Today is the day to see life through the lens of the Resurrection. Experience the joy possible emanating from Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and overcome challenges of darkness.

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The Sunday of the Blind Man. St. Theodore, Hieromartyr. Theodore of Vrshac, Holy Vukashin, St. Vikentije and Martyr of Surdulica. May 16/29, 2022. Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania.

Father Rodney Torbic