Living experience the unconditional love of the Father is like stepping Living experience the unconditional love of the Father is like stepping into the pool of Siloam and see that we are free to live, walk and see. into the pool of Siloam and see that we are free to live, walk and see.

It is also an invitation to feel invited, sent, to make possible that It is also an invitation to feel invited, sent, to make possible that experience in others.experience in others.

Against all the prejudices against the legalistic interpretations, Against all the prejudices against the legalistic interpretations, against to a concept of legal justice that is incapable to understand against to a concept of legal justice that is incapable to understand

God, we proclaim the boundless gratitude of God the Father / Mother.God, we proclaim the boundless gratitude of God the Father / Mother.

Gospel Text: John 9, 1-41 / 4th Sunday of Lent-A-. Gospel Text: John 9, 1-41 / 4th Sunday of Lent-A-. Comments and presentation: Asun Gutiérrez. Comments and presentation: Asun Gutiérrez. Music: Mahler. 5 th Symphony. AdagiettoMusic: Mahler. 5 th Symphony. AdagiettoTranslation from Spanish to English text: J. Izquierdo OHTranslation from Spanish to English text: J. Izquierdo OH

11As he went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.As he went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should have been born blind?'parents, that he should have been born blind?'

There are many ways of looking. Jesus sees the blind. His gaze is compassionate, curative, full of mercy, kindness, confidence and hope.The gaze of other people is curious, indifferent, guilty ...According to the doctrine of retribution, poverty and disease could only be explained as God's punishment for sin. Jesus rejects this belief, he frees from this narrow-and interested-interpretation, revealing the God of life and love. Teaches that the Father is not looking at human beings as sinners but as sons and daughters unconditionally loved and needed of Him

33'Neither he nor his parents sinned,' Jesus answered, 'he was born blind 'Neither he nor his parents sinned,' Jesus answered, 'he was born blind so that the works of God might be revealed in him.so that the works of God might be revealed in him.44 'As long as day lasts we must carry out the work of the one who sent 'As long as day lasts we must carry out the work of the one who sent me; the night will soon be here when no one can work.me; the night will soon be here when no one can work.55 As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.' As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.'

For Jesus the essentials of the situation is not the "why" but the "what for"For Jesus the essentials of the situation is not the "why" but the "what for"Have we ruled out definitely this "theology" so simplistic and unfair Have we ruled out definitely this "theology" so simplistic and unfair punishment of God? Jesus is the light that enlightens us and gives meaning punishment of God? Jesus is the light that enlightens us and gives meaning to our joys, our sorrows, our health, our sickness, our life, our death ...to our joys, our sorrows, our health, our sickness, our life, our death ...Do I feel Jesus as the light that enlightens every moment and every Do I feel Jesus as the light that enlightens every moment and every circumstance of my life?circumstance of my life?

6 6 Having said this, he spat on Having said this, he spat on the ground, made a paste the ground, made a paste with the spittle, put this over with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the blind man,the eyes of the blind man,7 7 and said to him, 'Go and and said to him, 'Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam' wash in the Pool of Siloam' (the name means 'one who (the name means 'one who has been sent'). So he went has been sent'). So he went off and washed and came off and washed and came back able to see.back able to see.8 8 His neighbours and the His neighbours and the people who used to see him people who used to see him before (for he was a beggar) before (for he was a beggar) said, 'Isn't this the man who said, 'Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?‘ used to sit and beg?‘ 99 Some Some said, 'Yes, it is the same said, 'Yes, it is the same one.' Others said, 'No, but one.' Others said, 'No, but he looks just like him.' The he looks just like him.' The man himself said, man himself said, 'Yes, I am the one.''Yes, I am the one.'Jesus takes the initiative, he acts without being made any request. Although Jesus takes the initiative, he acts without being made any request. Although we don't see him, He sees us, comes over and heals us. The blind man was we don't see him, He sees us, comes over and heals us. The blind man was able to respond with courage, freedom, full faith and confidence. He was able to respond with courage, freedom, full faith and confidence. He was known blind and poor. He allowed to get involved the eyes with mud – known blind and poor. He allowed to get involved the eyes with mud – strange edicine -. The mud or water did not cure him. He was healed by the strange edicine -. The mud or water did not cure him. He was healed by the Word of Jesus and their faith.Word of Jesus and their faith.

1010 So they said to him, 'Then how is it that your eyes were opened?' So they said to him, 'Then how is it that your eyes were opened?'11 He answered, 'The man called Jesus made a paste, 11 He answered, 'The man called Jesus made a paste, daubed my eyes with it and said to me, daubed my eyes with it and said to me, "Go off and wash at Siloam"; so I went, and when"Go off and wash at Siloam"; so I went, and when I washed I gained my sight.'I washed I gained my sight.'12 They asked, ‘12 They asked, ‘Where is he?' Where is he?' He answered,He answered, 'I don't know.''I don't know.'

Also Jesus invites us to head to the pool of Siloam to feel the new life, and decide a mature age in which to give reasoned , convinced and hopeful testimony of faith in Jesus. A faith that helps us discover God in other ways than the law, to discover the ways of the fraternity.

1313They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.1414 It had been a Sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the It had been a Sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man's eyes,man's eyes,15 15 so when the Pharisees asked him how he had gained his sight, he so when the Pharisees asked him how he had gained his sight, he said, 'He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.'said, 'He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.'1616 Then some of the Pharisees said, 'That man cannot be from God: he Then some of the Pharisees said, 'That man cannot be from God: he does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a sinner produce does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a sinner produce signs like this?' And there was division among them.signs like this?' And there was division among them.

It is precisely the religious leaders, who themselves are appointed representatives of It is precisely the religious leaders, who themselves are appointed representatives of divinity, those who do not recognize Jesus or his works. They see threatened the divinity, those who do not recognize Jesus or his works. They see threatened the presupposed of the system, do not mind the grace granted, neither the truth, they presupposed of the system, do not mind the grace granted, neither the truth, they care about law enforcement.care about law enforcement.How can a man who does not comply with religious law, to act on behalf of God? How can a man who does not comply with religious law, to act on behalf of God? According to traditional teachings, a sinner is one who acts against the law. In this According to traditional teachings, a sinner is one who acts against the law. In this time, Jesus does not respect the strict law of Saturday. At stake is the image that the time, Jesus does not respect the strict law of Saturday. At stake is the image that the Pharisees have of God: a legalistic God, judge, which requires compliance with the law Pharisees have of God: a legalistic God, judge, which requires compliance with the law over the people, over their freedom and happiness. And the one that Jesus reveals , over the people, over their freedom and happiness. And the one that Jesus reveals , which shows a merciful and liberator God, Father/Mother.which shows a merciful and liberator God, Father/Mother.

1717 So they spoke to the blind man So they spoke to the blind man again, 'What have you to say about again, 'What have you to say about

him yourself, now that he has him yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?' The man opened your eyes?' The man

answered, answered, ““He is a prophet.”He is a prophet.”

Jesus guides skillfully the healed blind man - and us- to another light, deeper Jesus guides skillfully the healed blind man - and us- to another light, deeper into the faith. He makes him moving from blindness to vision. His answer to into the faith. He makes him moving from blindness to vision. His answer to the Pharisees is forceful. He is capable of defending his position to those who the Pharisees is forceful. He is capable of defending his position to those who harass him. It has penetrated deeply into him the Person and Word of Jesus. harass him. It has penetrated deeply into him the Person and Word of Jesus. His testimony, firm and personal , represents those who are interrogated, His testimony, firm and personal , represents those who are interrogated, they believe and give testimony.they believe and give testimony.

1818However, the Jews would not believe that the man had been blind without However, the Jews would not believe that the man had been blind without first sending for the parents of the man who had gained his sight andfirst sending for the parents of the man who had gained his sight and19 asking them, 'Is this man really the son of yours who you say was born 19 asking them, 'Is this man really the son of yours who you say was born blind? If so, how is it that he is now able to see?'blind? If so, how is it that he is now able to see?'20 His parents answered, 'We know he is our son and we know he was born 20 His parents answered, 'We know he is our son and we know he was born blind,blind,21 but how he can see, we don't know, nor who opened his eyes. Ask him. 21 but how he can see, we don't know, nor who opened his eyes. Ask him. He is old enough: let him speak for himself.'He is old enough: let him speak for himself.'22 His parents spoke like this out of fear of the Jews, who had already 22 His parents spoke like this out of fear of the Jews, who had already agreed to ban from the synagogue anyone who should acknowledge Jesus as agreed to ban from the synagogue anyone who should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ.the Christ.23 This was why his parents said, 'He is old enough; ask him.'23 This was why his parents said, 'He is old enough; ask him.'

The one that was blind is becoming an uncomfortable person for those who The one that was blind is becoming an uncomfortable person for those who have an inquisitorial and dogmatic attitude with who is near Jesus. They have an inquisitorial and dogmatic attitude with who is near Jesus. They think with the right to threaten and drive out the people who give an think with the right to threaten and drive out the people who give an authentic witness of Jesus.authentic witness of Jesus.Parents and neighbors are afraid, they dare to give his personal testimony.Parents and neighbors are afraid, they dare to give his personal testimony.Many times, "seeing" has consequences and requires independence, Many times, "seeing" has consequences and requires independence, consistency and courage. A person who is enlightened by Jesus begins to consistency and courage. A person who is enlightened by Jesus begins to see things differently and it is not afraid of his new position, even be see things differently and it is not afraid of his new position, even be conflicting.conflicting.

2424 So the Jews sent for the man again and said to him, 'Give glory to So the Jews sent for the man again and said to him, 'Give glory to God! We are satisfied that this man is a sinner.'God! We are satisfied that this man is a sinner.'25 25 The man answered, 'Whether he is a sinner I don't know; all I know is The man answered, 'Whether he is a sinner I don't know; all I know is that I was blind and now I can see.'that I was blind and now I can see.'2626 They said to him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your They said to him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?'eyes?'2727 He replied, 'I have told you once and you wouldn't listen. Why do you He replied, 'I have told you once and you wouldn't listen. Why do you want to hear it all again? Do you want to become his disciples want to hear it all again? Do you want to become his disciples yourselves?'yourselves?'

Who sets their sights on the law to measure the conduct of others only Who sets their sights on the law to measure the conduct of others only gets to see that all are bad, except him. Who sets their sights on the gets to see that all are bad, except him. Who sets their sights on the needs of others discover how much you can do for others and how the needs of others discover how much you can do for others and how the Father smiles, compassionate, to our own and others' failures.Father smiles, compassionate, to our own and others' failures.As the blind man, Jesus frees us from our blindness so our eyes see in a As the blind man, Jesus frees us from our blindness so our eyes see in a new form and illuminate all darkness.new form and illuminate all darkness.

2828At this they hurled abuse at him, 'It is you who are his disciple, we are At this they hurled abuse at him, 'It is you who are his disciple, we are disciples of Moses:disciples of Moses:2929 we know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we don't know we know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we don't know where he comes from.'where he comes from.'3030 The man replied, 'That is just what is so amazing! You don't know where The man replied, 'That is just what is so amazing! You don't know where he comes from and he has opened my eyes!he comes from and he has opened my eyes!31 31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but God does listen to people We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but God does listen to people who are devout and do his will.who are devout and do his will.3232 Ever since the world began it is unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of Ever since the world began it is unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of someone born blind;someone born blind;3333 if this man were not from God, he wouldn't have been able to do if this man were not from God, he wouldn't have been able to do anything.'anything.'3434 They retorted, 'Are you trying to teach us, and you a sinner through and They retorted, 'Are you trying to teach us, and you a sinner through and through ever since you were born!' And they ejected him.through ever since you were born!' And they ejected him.

Faith saves, is contagious and leads to testimony.Faith saves, is contagious and leads to testimony.The blind man not only received the light, but became light. Insecurity The blind man not only received the light, but became light. Insecurity and lack of arguments, before the brave and free testimony , means and lack of arguments, before the brave and free testimony , means "expelling" and persecuting Jesus and who gives testimony of Him"expelling" and persecuting Jesus and who gives testimony of Him

3535Jesus heard they had ejected him, and when he Jesus heard they had ejected him, and when he found him he said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son found him he said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son

of man?'of man?'3636 'Sir,' the man replied, 'tell me who he is so that I 'Sir,' the man replied, 'tell me who he is so that I

may believe in him.'may believe in him.'37 37 Jesus said, 'You have seen him; he is speaking to Jesus said, 'You have seen him; he is speaking to

you.'you.'38 38 The man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and worshipped The man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and worshipped

him.him.

Jesus does not appear in the discussion. Now he comes back to "find" and Jesus does not appear in the discussion. Now he comes back to "find" and lead the blind fully to the faith , to restore him the dignity and cure all types lead the blind fully to the faith , to restore him the dignity and cure all types

of blindness.of blindness.There is no conversion or real faith without a personal encounter with Jesus. There is no conversion or real faith without a personal encounter with Jesus. The blind man becomes a true witness, proclaiming his faith unreservedly.The blind man becomes a true witness, proclaiming his faith unreservedly.

How do I live my faith process? Do I feel progressing and maturing?How do I live my faith process? Do I feel progressing and maturing?

3939Jesus said: It is for Jesus said: It is for judgment that I have come judgment that I have come into this world, so that those into this world, so that those without sight may see and without sight may see and those with sight may those with sight may become blind.become blind.4040 Hearing this, some Hearing this, some Pharisees who were present Pharisees who were present said to him, 'So we are said to him, 'So we are blind, are we?'blind, are we?'4141 Jesus replied: If you were Jesus replied: If you were blind, you would not be blind, you would not be guilty, but since you say, guilty, but since you say, 'We can see,' your guilt 'We can see,' your guilt remains.remains.

The blind man lacks the physical light of the eyes. The scribes and Pharisees are blind moral , the don't see or want to see or tolerate others to see.It is the attitude of those who are determined not to leave his blindness and hypocrisy, based in institutions and the criteria that they themselves have built. Jesus invites us to opt for the light in our lives. The light which he communicates to us. The light that he orders us to communicate to others.

Blessed be, my God, my air, you're there, as sure as the air we breathe.Blessed be, my God, my wind, that dares, push and headed me.Blessed be, my God, my water, essence of my body and my spirit, that makes my life cleaner, fresher, more fruitful.Blessed be, my God, my doctor, always close to me and closer when I feel sick.Blessed be, my God, my pastor, that seeks good, fresh grass, which guides me through the dark valley, you come to me when I'm lost in the darkness.Blessed be, my God, my mother, that you love me as I am, that for me you can give life, my refuge, my security, my trust.Blessed be God, be blessed.

José Enrique Galarreta