Our World's Blindness

Father Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Last Sunday, we read about Jesus giving living water to a Samaritan woman. He revealed Himself as the water that satisfies our spiritual thirst. Today's readings speak about light and the way people see. The Gospel tells us that Jesus heals a blind man. How can we understand the readings and their relevant meanings?

The readings for today contrast spiritual blindness against physical sight in a powerful way. God sent Samuel to appoint a new king. When Jesse presents his sons, Samuel initially gets impressed by Eliab's impressive appearance. But God does not choose him. The important lesson is this: "Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart." The youngest, David, whom even his father overlooked, is the one chosen. According to this scripture, spiritual sight requires looking past outward manifestations to the true condition of the heart.

The Gospel of John presents the example of the person who was born blind to demonstrate this point. Jesus heals him physically, but the greater miracle is spiritual. Jesus is first perceived by the cured man as a prophet, then as Lord, and finally as God. In the meantime, the Pharisees suffer from severe spiritual blindness despite being physically able to see. They firmly reject the facts, reject Jesus, and drive out the man who has been cured. More than just ignorance, their crimes include envy, disbelief, and deliberate rejection. They are condemned while claiming that they are able to see.

Paul specifically addresses the matter in his letter to the Ephesians. Because light promotes kindness, justice, and truth, he exhorts Christians to "live as children of light." The Pharisees kept staying in the dark due to their spiritual blindness, which prevented them from seeing the Light of the World in front of them. Paul urges everyone who remains spiritually blind and prefers darkness to the illuminating light of Christ to wake up.

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"If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains." (John 9:41)

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These passages offer an in-depth examination of conscience for modern Christian life. We have to ask ourselves, "Where do we see only appearances?" Instead of looking for the heart, do we make decisions based on popularity, money, or status? Like the Pharisees, are we so sure of our righteousness that we fail to see God at work in unexpected ways? As true disciples, we must be humble enough to admit our blindness and allow Christ to give us sight.

The implications for politics are also urgent. Numerous spiritual blindnesses afflict our planet. Countries overlook the cries of the vulnerable and make decisions based on appearances and power. Ideologies become rigid systems that, like the Pharisees, reject every fact that contradicts their viewpoint. Leaders who prioritize their own interests over justice and fail to acknowledge the human dignity of immigrants, the impoverished, or political rivals exhibit blindness. International relations are poisoned by envy and unbelief, which lead to disputes that no diplomacy can settle since the heart remains hardened.

However, there is hope in the readings. The blind man's encounter with Christ restored his sight. The cure for our spiritually blind world remains the same: a modest recognition of blindness, a readiness to meet the Light, and the courage to live as children of Light in a darkness that desires to be seen. (*)