As Jesus went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, for him to have been born blind?” “Neither he nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered “he was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him ”

Many persons have had similar experiences. I remember the story of a couple. When their daughter was born they discovered that she could not hear. Then another daughter was born and she too could not hear, then a son and another daughter and another, five children who could not hear.

People looked at her pityingly. They too, like the disciples, questioned: “Who sinned for all these children to be born not being able to hear?” Perhaps the parents themselves asked the same question and felt punished by God.

Jesus' answer to them was the same as that to the blind man. Their deafness was not because of sin. They were born unable to hear so that the works of God might be displayed in them. They too, like the blind man would feel the touch of Jesus' hands and the “paste” on their eyes. They would receive God's communication “ Go and wash in the pool of Siloam ”.

This touch, communication and washing came in different ways. There was the person who told of the new school for the Deaf that had begun. There were the teachers who worked with them and opened their eyes to see and understand. The school was the place where the “paste” was put on their eyes and where they went to “ wash in the pool of Siloam ”.

These children as they grew to adulthood also had to make their journey into clearer vision, not only of the world around them but of who it really was that had opened their eyes. They too, like the blind man, met Jesus. “ Lord I believe ” they said and worshipped.

They had come to faith.

Today two of these - now adults - are active in service to the Deaf community as lay ministers. One, a catechist for many years and leader of a weekly Bible Study group at her home, is a mother of two Deaf young people who are now active in service to the community as well. Truly God's works have been displayed in them.

Our Elect in each parish as they prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter can also look back on their journey. Were there times in the past when they too felt unable to see their way, weighed down by guilt, cast aside, judged?

Then came the time when they understood that God wanted to display mighty works in them. No matter what people thought of them or what they thought of themselves, God had big plans for them. God had not cast them aside or judged them. They are on their way now. Today we celebrate their journey to faith and the new vision that God is giving to them.

We, who were baptised many years ago, as we prepare to renew our baptism at Easter, need to recall again our own journeys. Are our eyes really open?

Are there people on whom we look down in judgement? Are there people whom we consider as suffering because of some supposed evil they have done in the past or present? Are we able to look deeper and see - as Jesus saw - a person in whom God's works will be displayed? Are we ready to dirty our hands with the soil and spittle and touch the brother or sister so that God's works might be displayed?

We spend so much time criticising and condemning others, talking about which one has sinned. We miss the opportunity to be part of the process by which God's mighty works will be displayed. The Pharisees had the same problem. They totally missed what was really happening right under their noses.

Let us pray

Beloved God!

Thank you for people who are like Jesus today. They see not the supposed “sin” but the opportunity for God's works to be displayed. They trust. They reach out in friendship. They bring hope.

Thank you for those who have journeyed beside our catechumens, humbly, trustingly, caringly, assisting them and learning from them, as gradually their eyes were opened to see themselves and the world and God in a new light.

Thank you for those who in the face of disasters do not waste time speculating about whose sin was the cause of it but take into their hands the “soil” and “spittle” and go to the assistance of those in need of help.

Forgive us Lord, the times we are blind. We think our eyes are open. We think we have faith but in fact we are blind with our own pre-conceived ideas. We write off people because of the circumstances of their lives, where they live, what school they attended, what work they do, what religion they follow, what political party they belong to. We do not think we can learn anything from them. Like the Pharisees we say: “Are you trying to teach us and you a sinner through and through since you were born?” We think we have all the answers.

Forgive us the times we waste in gossiping about people's failings. Forgive us the judgements we make of other people and other groups. We set ourselves apart. Forgive us our pride and conceit.

Compassionate God! Help us to see as you see. Help us to see the signs of your wonderful works in people and groups around us as well as in our selves. Help us as a people to work together humbly, trustingly in a way that will bring hope to all. Amen