Seeing the Light

One of the most wonderful gifts from God that most of us take for granted on a daily basis is the gift of sight. A more basic gift even less appreciated is the gift of light, which makes sight possible. When giving God thanks for His many gifts, we would do well to include these among the other blessings for which we are grateful.

At Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we are presented with one of two Gospels: the story of the Prodigal Son (cycle C) or the story of the man born blind (cycle A, used this year only in conjunction with the RCIA program). Both passages are masterfully constructed accounts of significant miracles of light, the first a parable and the latter a historical event. The central figure from each story “saw the light” after some time in darkness. The difference is that, for the blind man, seeing the light was a literal miracle whereas, for the Prodigal Son, seeing the light was a miracle of grace that included a conversion of heart that followed his intellectual enlightenment.

A frustration shared by many good and faithful Christians is that there are so very many extremely intelligent people in our world who do such deplorable things. The irony that adds fuel to the fire is that this same group is commonly seen as “enlightened” while we disciples of Jesus are considered to be out of touch. Sadly, the intellectual and spiritual blindness from which they suffer is difficult to cure because they are not aware of their sickness, and thus they seek no treatment. Many a Scriptural lesson indicates that our fallen human nature makes all of us susceptible to this affliction. While few of us suffer from physical blindness, many of us allow ourselves to lose sight of Jesus, the Light of the World, from time to time.

The spiritual renewal sought after by serious Christians during Lent must include some form of authentic enlightenment in Christ. Meditating upon Sacred Scripture, reading good spiritual books or periodicals, attending weekday Masses, studying the Catholic Catechism, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, listening to Catholic radio, watching EWTN programs, participating in Lenten devotions (especially Stations of the Cross), joining a faith-sharing group, doing corporal and spiritual works of mercy: all of these activities involve the opening of the eyes of our soul to let in the light of Christ. Such efforts will undoubtedly bear the spiritual fruits we seek during Lent.

Literally thousands of folks throughout the Diocese of Lincoln have participated in a Light of the World retreat during which we experience a renewal of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Many participate in faith-sharing groups that include various forms of study as a means to continue inviting Christ the Light into one’s life. Real efforts by genuine Christians are what provide the Light of Christ needed to see with the eyes of faith. Our spiritual labors are rewarded by Jesus with the miracle of sight that serves as a balm to our blindness.

The miracle of seeing the light of Christ more brightly in our lives is not reserved to the physically blind or to prodigal children. It is there for the taking by all Christians who wish to make this Lent—or at least what’s left of it—a truly fruitful journey. Allowing the Light of Christ to shine in our souls may help us better to appreciate the splendid gift of sight.

By Father Matthew Eickhoff,
Director, Office for Evangelization
Chairman, Diocesan Evangelization Committee

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