Baptism is the catalyst that moves us from darkness into light. Using dark and light in the readings this week is a metaphor for living in the darkness of sin and then knowing Christ and moving from darkness (sin) into the light (cleansed of sin through Baptism) of the Lord.
In the Gospel story of "The Man Born Blind" we witness the physical healing of a man's sight but we also experience his spiritual sight opening up. We share this experience with our RCIA Elect as they, too, journey from darkness into light and gain their spiritual sight!
As you read the Gospel pause to consider each point in the story where this poor, blind man moves one step closer to seeing, and into spiritual light. Notice his progression in the process of learning who Jesus is and compare that to one of our RCIA Elect who is going through the same process. In the end this man both sees with his eyes (physical sight) and with his faith (spiritual sight) whereupon he proclaims, "Yes, Lord, I do believe!"
Also notice all the elements of Baptism that are present in the story, too: Water, cleansing, sight and rebirth. Jesus sends the man to cleanse his eyes in the water of the pool of Siloam (Siloam means to send). Upon doing so he is no longer living in darkness but has a re-birth, a new life, in the light. Our Elect are walking a path that will ultimately lead to the water of Baptism when they too will no longer be living in darkness but will be reborn into a new life of spiritual light. They will see with their eyes and they will see in a new way; through faith. This new sight will help to see how Jesus lived and as Jesus wants us to live. This new sight will help them to see the world as Jesus sees it, with love. All of us who have already passed through the waters of our Baptism have been gifted with this new sight.
What do we do with this gift of light and new sight? In Paul's letter to the Ephesians he describes how they should be living as children of the light. Paul says, "...there was a time when you were darkness (notice how he says they WERE darkness, not just in the dark), but now you are light (again, not IN the light, you ARE light) in the Lord." Paul's description of our being dark and being light is very physical and very moving in a spiritual way. He implies that these are physical states; dark and light. Now that we ARE light, we live in the light and we do what is good, right and honest. We learn what pleases the Lord. We do not take part in things that are evil or done in secret. Instead, he tells the Ephesians and us, we should let everything be seen and done in the light.
The Psalm this week is Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd I shall not want
We do not sing Alleluia during Lent. We are singing Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. The lead sheet has all the verses for each week. This is week 4, so sing the Gospel acclamation verse #4.