HIDDEN VALLEY: THE SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
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, Neither hath 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, Why herein 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! Christ is Risen!
The Sunday of the Blind Man
The Sunday of the Blind Man has arrived in God’s Holy Church. Resurrection joy continues to abound. Jesus Christ’s ability to create new life continues to be manifested.
The man born blind lived in a tomb of darkness. He was unable to perceive the light of day. When Jesus Christ entered the man’s life, his whole being was transformed. The Lord Jesus Christ brought the Light of Christ into the blind man’s world. Jesus gave the man the ability to see the bright new world in a way that he never had experienced it.
Jesus Christ’ Resurrection gives a new and bright vision of life to Christian believers. Jesus Christ’s victory over death enables believer to see and understand the world, death and life in a new and different way.
Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead gives believers the vision to see beyond the darkness of death to the brightness of eternal life. The new vision of life created by the Resurrection provides for believers to live each day with great joy.
No earthly darkness can stifle the Light of the Resurrected Christ. The Darkness of that First Great and Holy Friday when Jesus was on the Cross
was replaced by the brightness of the Resurrected Christ and the Empty Tomb.
No earthly events of darkness succeed in destroying the resounding joyful message that “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”
Christian saints and martyrs have lost their lives for centuries in witness to and defense of the Christian faith. Their deaths in Christ shine forth the Light of Christ and brighten the path to the Heavenly Kingdom.
Deep in the hearts of fervent believers the baptismal Light of Christ burns and enlightens the path to the Heavenly Kingdom. God’s Holy Church protects and enables the flame of Christ in the heart to burn brightly throughout earthly life.
Each day reveals the Presence, Glory and Light of the Resurrected Christ. Each day Christ’s miracles are revealed and verified for those with eyes of faith to see.
Today and each day are valued opportunities to remind the self that: “Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Hristos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese! Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
The Sunday of the Blind Man. Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
May 8/21, 2023. Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania. Father Rodney Torbic
The Sunday of the Blind Man 2023 copy
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