Ah, Spring! -- Our schools have taken their long-
awaited spring break, daffodils, pear trees and azaleas
are blooming, and temperatures have steadily risen to
something more akin to normal
Deep South levels. For many in
our nation, spring is a welcome
relief from the fierce snow storms
of this past winter, and an
opportunity to enjoy the outdoors,
the open road and natures’
sprouting beauty.
Havingmoved toPennsylvania
when we got married, we
frequently drove (back home) to
Brooklyn, New York, to visit my
parents, siblings and (lots of)
cousins, aunts and uncles.
Although the entire trip took no
more than two and a half hours,
one hour of that was getting from
New York City to Brooklyn via the Holland Tunnel.
Inevitably, more than once during the trip, one or both
of our children would ask, “Are we there yet”?
It’s a question we have been asked directly and by
implication all throughout this Lenten season.
At this point in our Lenten journey with its goal of
growing closer to the Lord and its multiple opportunities
for strengthening of faith we have to ask -- are we there
yet?
In today’s first reading, Samuel, a prophet of the
Lord, learns that he is not “there” yet. Sent by God to
Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of his eight sons as
king of Israel, Samuel was ready to run ahead of the
Lord and anoint the (wrong) son. God stopped him in
mid-thought and taught Samuel, and us, some valuable
lessons.
1. Avoid making hasty judgments independent of
God’s guidance.
2. God has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11-14),
which are far better than ours.
3. Let’s trust the God who knows more, knows
better and sees the entire picture while we only look on
the surface.
4. God reads our thoughts, and wants to perfect
them through the Scriptures, Church teaching and the
wisdom of those who love us and truly care about our
well-being -- are we paying attention and acting
accordingly?
5. Do our efforts and important life decisions fail to
bear the fruit we hoped for or leave us feeling less than
satisfied? Try giving the Lord full sway over your
plans, thoughts, words and actions -- it can be an
extreme makeover.
6. Is God directing your steps (where we go),
guiding your thoughts (what comes into your mind),
influencing your words (what you say) and transforming
your actions (what you do)? If not, who or what is?
Today’s Gospel features a neophyte progressively
drawing closer to Jesus while “religious leaders” build
walls of separation. Jesus’ initial encounter with the
man born blind is a beautiful example of God’s
expansive love, his generous mercy and his unlimited
miracle working power. Without being asked, Jesus
initiated contact with the blind man, prescribed the
solution to his problem, and required his cooperation in
the miracle working process -- “Go wash in the pool of
Siloam” (John 9:7). The interrogation that followed,
instead of weakening, actually strengthened the blind
man’s faith in Christ. Notice the faith progression he
expresses. When asked who healed him, he responded,
“The man called Jesus.” Then, as the grilling became
more intense, he identified Jesus as “a prophet,” and
later, conversing with Christ, he worshipped and called
him, “Lord.” Have you moved from casual knowledge
of a “man” called Jesus to a posture of worship,
adoration and complete dependence on him, the Lord?
Will Easter see us come out of Lent with more than
we brought in? More humble, more deeply spiritual,
more readily available, more knowledgeable of what
pleases the Lord and more evident in our service of
God and his people?
In his sermon on the plain, Jesus speaks of God-like
qualities his disciples should develop. “Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful,” love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you, stop judging, stop
condemning, forgive and you will be forgiven (Luke
6:27-42) -- most of us can do these things with the
Lord’s help. Are we there yet?
Fr. Robert Barron wrote, “Something I have noticed
over the years is that the holiest people in our tradition
are those who are most aware of their sinfulness.
Whether it is Paul, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Teresa
of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, or Mother Teresa, the
saints are those who are convinced of their inadequacy.
When Isaiah encounters the Lord he says, “I am a man
of unclean lips!” When Peter is in the presence of the
Messiah he says, “Lord, leave me, for I am a sinful
man.” G.K. Chesterton once said, “A saint is someone
who knows he’s a sinner.””
You may not be there yet but hopefully this Lent is
bringing you one step closer to sainthood.
Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is
assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web-
site: deaconralph.com.
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
Responsorial Psalm: 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel: John 9:1-41
4th Sunday for Lent
Are we there yet?
Deacon Torrell
i
Sunday
Scripture
Commentaries
Gulf Pine Catholic
•
March 28, 2014
5
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