In today's Gospel story we meet "The Man Born Blind". As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the man who was blind from birth is the only person who can see; he is able to see Jesus and trust that Jesus is the Messiah. Everyone else in the story is prevented, by pride or fear from seeing Jesus. On our Lenten Journey we pray that all obstacles may be removed from our sight, so we, too, can see Jesus.
When Jesus spits on the ground and fashions clay as a healing remedy, it is reminiscent of the first time God reached into the clay of the earth to fashion a human person, free from doubt and fear, from sin and death. In the light of Christ, each of us has become a new creation; we have encountered Jesus on our way and have chosen now to let him be our way.
For me, the moment of cleansing came nearly twelve years ago. I needed to see Jesus, yet my pride and fear were stumbling blocks to real intimacy with the Lord. It was not until I found myself in a place of desolation, literally in the clay of the earth, that I was able to begin surrendering my will and begin relying on God's mercy. From that moment, I believe Jesus has gradually touched my eyes, and my heart, and invited me to sink into the healing waters, my own Siloam. Along the way, many friends have lifted me up by their own faithfulness. One of them shared with me a little phrase that has become a daily "go-to". "I have nothing to fear, nothing to lose, nothing to hide, and nothing to prove." In light of the love of Christ, which has been poured out in our hearts, we are able to simply speak the truth of Jesus and to believe in Him.
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.