Light in Darkness 3/ 26/ 06

John's Gospel is written around seven signs. John called various miracles that Jesus performed "signs." If interpreted properly these signs gradually reveal who Jesus is and why he came into the world. The signs are followed by various dialogues that reveal the meaning of the signs. For example, in chapter six after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a sign of the Eucharist, John presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Jewish people that reveals the significance of the Eucharist. The dialogue demonstrates how some individuals turn away from the light while others turn to accepting what Jesus teaches.

The sign in today's Gospel is the curing of a man born blind. The Pharisees are those who see Jesus as threatening their power and profits. They interpret the miraculous cure as sinful because it is performed on the Sabbath. Jesus enemies badgered the formerly blind man about the cure. The more they pressed him, the more deeply he saw into who Jesus is, a prophet and a man of God. Before curing the blind man Jesus declared, "1 am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus said in today's Gospel, "I am the light of the world. ≥The healing of the blind man illustrates what John said in the beginning of his Gospel, "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." St. Paul in the second reading takes up this theme, "Live as children of the light for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth... take no part in the fruitless works of darkness."

Jesus' words and actions are the "light of life." He demonstrated God's plan for the world. The basic human sin is selfishness or pride. We want the world to revolve around us; we want events to go according to our plan. Yet any realistic view of human life tells us that we are not the center of the world. Jesus, the Word of God come into the world, has shown us how to live. One of the major titles given to Jesus in modem theology is "A man for others." Instead of looking out only for ourselves, Jesus has shown that the best way to live a human life is to care for other people. This is so ingrained in the way God has created us, that it is not surprising that the Buddhists insist that to live an enlightened life, one must be compassionate. For the Buddhists this means alleviating the sufferings of others.

1 think it is instructive that one of Alcoholics Anonymous' principles is that to maintain one's own sobriety, the person must spend time helping others to reach sobriety. Spending time helping others is the path to a balanced life.

Just yesterday a television public service ad recommended "mentoring" as a way of giving to others while at the same time satisfying oneself Once a person has learned certain skills that person gets great satisfaction out of teaching those skills to others. We humans are made to pass on what we have learned. In this way we have an urge to do good for others. This is why we have so many good teachers. God gives us satisfaction when we help continue the best of our human heritage.

One thought of the Church Fathers was that Jesus came to complete creation. At present we are a work in progress. Jesus presence among us activates the many impulses the Lord placed within us so that we will develop good and helpful relationships. Part of the human condition is that we are underdeveloped spiritually. The pool that aided in the blind man's cure was Siloam, meaning "sent." As baptized, in a special way we are called to develop ourselves spiritually through our association with Jesus. At the end of the day the blind man was able to give testimony to the meaning of Jesus. What a mighty reward, to be invited to intimate friendship with the Word of God.