In our Gospel this week we hear the familiar story of the healing of the Man Born Blind. Though most of us have the physical ability to see, we all have areas of social or spiritual blindness. What are the problems in society that we ignore because they don't affect us personally? Who are the people that we see as being different or less than or unimportant? Who is outside of the circle of our care and concern? Who do we refuse to forgive?

Though I am sure that Father Rob is going to deliver an excellent homily this weekend, I came across this AMAZING reflection on the readings for the week. I realize that it is 8 minutes long, but it is worth it! Sr. Nicole Trahan opened up the scripture readings of the week in a new way for me. A way that made me feel a little bit challenged and that reminded me that I can't encounter the real presence of Jesus and have my eyes "opened" and remain unchanged. Jesus is the great physician who heals us of our blindness and our thank you for the healing is action.

I Saw What I Saw

Here is the song that Sr. Nicole mentioned:

As part of our Lenten practice this week, perhaps we might consider how we are "blind" and pray that we allow Jesus, the one who desires to heal us, to open our eyes and inspire us to be a healing presence for others...

And speaking of healing...

Perhaps you remember that earlier this month we touched on one of the two Sacraments of Healing, Reconciliation. The other Sacrament of Healing is the Anointing of the Sick which seems to be a natural tie-in to the readings this weekend. Please enjoy this excerpt from Joe Paprocki's, DISCOVERING THE NEARNESS OF GOD series:

"The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, like all the sacraments, is an encounter with Christ our healer. It is an encounter with Jesus when we need him most: when we are on the threshold of faith or despair, trust or fear. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing. There’s no magic involved. Just as illness affects us at the physical, spiritual, and emotional levels, so does healing. Encountering Jesus and his narrative of compassion and mercy (of rescue, restoration, and reassurance) lifts our hearts and fills us with confidence, trust, and hope. This spiritual healing can and often does bring about healing on the physical level as well. Through the Anointing of the Sick, we embrace a narrative that says Jesus is in our midst and we have nothing to fear because even death cannot separate us from his love.

If you want to take a first step in deepening your commitment to Christ, you should begin by caring for the sick. It is where Christ would send you if you approached him to ask what you can do to help. I would go so far as to say that any claim to discipleship that does not place an emphasis on caring for the needs of those who are sick or poor is not a full, authentic expression of Christian discipleship. To be a follower of the risen Christ is to take confident hope into places of despair, especially where people are suffering from illness, so that life may be transformed and have meaning. Christian hope recognizes and acknowledges pain and suffering—the perceived absence of God—but believes in a future that is permeated with the presence of God."

***Often times people are afraid to avail themselves of the grace of this sacrament because they believe it is only for the dying, but that isn't the case at all. "Simply put, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for anyone suffering from a serious illness or condition... Those to be anointed may include:

*those preparing for surgery

*those who suffer the weakness of old age

*children who are seriously ill

*those with chronic illness or addictions

*those suffering from serious mental health problems

*anyone else whose health is seriously impaired by sickness"