Our readings this week are all about being seen. We hear in the first reading that it is not until Samuel sees David that he is able to anoint him and bestow the gifts of the Lord upon him. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that even though we were once in darkness, we are now light in the Lord. Thus, we are to live as children of the light and do the things that are pleasing in the sight of God. Finally, the Gospel tells us that it is not until Jesus sees the blind man that he is able to perform the miracle of restoring his sight. All of these readings show us how important it is for us to be seen by the Lord. While this may seem like a simple point, it is one worth reflecting on in order for us to grow in our spiritual lives.
We are seen by many people every day. Whether we are going to work, school or a social event, we know we will be seen by others, and we do our best to make ourselves look good to them. That is, we often spend significant time and effort trying to hide our flaws from others’ view. While this might be an acceptable social practice, I propose to you that this is an unacceptable practice when it comes to our spiritual lives.
Just as we try to hide our flaws from others, we can also fall into the habit of trying to hide our inner flaws from Jesus. It is a real temptation to want to try to present ourselves to the Lord in an immaculate way so that he will be pleased with us. However, this is not what he wants. Just imagine what would have happened to the blind man in the Gospel if he had hidden his disability from Jesus. He never would have been healed, and those around him who witnessed the miracle would not have had the benefit of seeing the power of God at work. Rather than hiding all of our inner flaws from Jesus, we are called to give ourselves totally to him and let him see and heal us in the way he desires.
The best way for us to make ourselves totally visible to God is in the sacrament of confession. It is there that we pour ourselves out to him and let him heal us in the deepest ways.
During this season of Lent, I encourage you to make a good confession before the Lord. Spend some time really examining your conscience and bring to Jesus even those parts of your soul that you most want to hide from him. When we make a sincere confession, we allow the Lord to see us in a deeper way, and we open ourselves up for him to perform miracles in our lives.
Go to Jesus this Lent and allow him to heal you in profound ways so that you can glorify him and be an instrument of mercy to all those around you.
Deacon Gonnella is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity for the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois. His teaching parish is St. Timothy in Maple Lake, and his home parish is St. Patrick in St. Charles, Illinois.
Sunday, March 26
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Readings
