Often, we think we see things clearly and understand how the world works. But sometimes, we fool ourselves or are fooled by others. We can fool ourselves because our view of reality is shaped by biases or missing information. We can also be misled by appearances, since power often works by changing how we see things. Especially today, with the rise of Artificial Intelligence and manipulated communication, it is harder than ever to be sure what is real. So, we need to be careful before we make firm claims. We can also prefer not to see: it happens when we struggle to bear the weight of reality.
Complexity of Seeing
In today’s readings, we witness the complex and rich dynamics of seeing: In the First Reading, Samuel believes he sees God’s chosen one because he judges based on his prejudices, but his presumptions are wrong. The Letter to the Ephesians (2nd Reading) reminds us that we are always called to emerge from the darkness to which the world pushes us into the light of faith.
When I read this Sunday’s Gospel, I immediately think the blind man represents each of us. Sometimes we’re blind, unknowingly heading toward danger with only darkness ahead. Or maybe we’re like the Pharisees—sure that we see clearly, confident we know more and have control—yet we’re actually blind. Sometimes we would rather stumble in the dark than open our eyes and admit we are close to falling.
Healing the man born blind, Jesus performs a strange gesture: “He spat on the ground, made mud with saliva, spread the mud on the blind man’s eyes” (v. 6). Why does Jesus spit on the ground and make mud with his saliva? What is the meaning of this mysterious gesture? When we get to see again, our life is reborn: God recreates us. Indeed, Jesus’ gesture recalls the story of creation: in the mud, Jesus puts his breath of life, just like God created man from the mud. Seeing is starting to live again. So, Jesus recreates this man, and brings a new life into him. Any time we move from the darkness of sin into repentance and forgiveness, we are recreated.
Remaining Blind
In life, some do not want to accept reality; they do not accept it because they are afraid of giving up their power, their schemes, their beliefs, and others do not want to recognize reality to avoid compromising themselves. The Pharisees in today’s Gospel continue to stubbornly cling to their beliefs. They do not accept a different opinion or being questioned.
There are also those who prefer not to see the truth for fear of the consequences: the parents of this man do not want to “see” in order not to acknowledge what has happened. They do not want to become witnesses. Seeing would mean admitting that Jesus is a prophet. Those in power have been categorical: that statement must not be made, under penalty of exclusion from the synagogue.
Today, we experience this dynamic when, for example, in the context of social platforms, we cannot express dissent or an opinion different from that of the community: immediately, you are thrown out, you are cancelled, annihilated. You are practically not allowed to see things differently!
Lent is a journey of moving out of the darkness of sin, presumption, and self-opinion into the light of belief and faith, guided by the word of God to acknowledge reality as it is and to always see and proclaim the truth.
[Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41]
