4TH SUNDAY OF LENT - A

I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jn 9: 1-41

v. 2. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

In ancient times there was a common belief that sin results in physical sickness. In the case of sickness from birth, some rabbis attribute it to the sin of the parents. Others attribute it to the child himself in the course of his development in the womb.

v. 3. Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.

Jesus rejects the current belief without proposing another. Instead he affirms the fact of his infirmity and assures this man that he will be made whole (cured). By doing so, Jesus will perform a sign that will show his divine origin and invite men to receive the true light.

The passage from blindness to vision symbolizes the transition from unbelief and death to faith and life. In this sense the blind man (the only one blind from birth in the NT) may be considered to be the prototype of those who will arrive to faith.

v. 4. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.

“WE have to do the works…” seems to indicate that the Christian community is speaking here and declaring that its actions is a prolongation of the action of Christ.

The life span and activity of a person is often compared to a day of work. In the same way the activity of Jesus who is the light of the world may be compared to a day.

v. 5. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

The salvific activity of the Father is manifested in Jesus for the good of all men. He is the only possibility of salvation.

v. 6. When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes.

In ancient times it was believed that saliva possessed curative powers. (Marahil ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang laway ay ginagamit para pagalingin ang isang batang na-usog.) Jesus makes use of this familiar gesture.

v. 7. And said to him, "Go was in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

The Pool of Siloam is found in the city. John who gives great importance to the theme of mission suggests an etymology: As the water of the Pool of “Sent” (Siloam) gives sight, the Messiah “who was sent” brings the light of revelation. It is very possible that this passage was used in the baptismal liturgy.

v. 14. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath.

Except for cases of grave danger, it was forbidden to cure on the Sabbath.

v. 35. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

The man who was cured has reached the highest point of his testimony and suffered persecution. He prefigures the situation in which the Church will find itself.

Jesus meets him and reveals himself to him as the Son of Man, that is, he who comes down from heaven in order to gather all men and elevate them to a participation in the life of God.

v. 39. Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."

The mission of Jesus brings about a reversal of situations. The blind who has faith in Jesus are cured and arrive at knowledge of revelation. On the contrary those who believe themselves enlightened do not have the capacity to see he who brings the light of salvation. They remain always in darkness and in perdition.