March 15, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Gospel: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

Reflection

The man born without sight does not approach Jesus to ask for healing in this Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus sees him and gives the man born blind two unrequested gifts. Jesus heals him in response to his disciple’s question about whose sin has caused the blindness.

While Jesus thoroughly debunks the notion that sin has caused it, he uses the healing in answer to the question.

After the man’s expulsion from the synagogue, Jesus again approaches him and like the woman at Jacob’s well, offers him the gift of faith. Neither of them asks for faith, nor actually for anything at all. But both accept the gift and both have their lives changed.

The theme of the gift of faith runs through these Lenten Gospels. It offers us a chance to renew and deepen our faith as we journey with Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem. And it gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves if we are being offered unexpected gifts from the Provident God who knows all our needs?

Action

Spend time this week discerning where God has unexpectedly touched your life. And give thanks!