April 3, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41

Jesus used physical ‘stuff’ to communicate God’s grace even though he didn’t have to. He used mud in today’s Gospel, in other passages he uses water, bread and wine, the touch of his hand, his breath, etc. What is the reason that Jesus does this when he doesn’t have to?  By using physical stuff as agents of God’s grace Jesus allows us to imitate him through our rituals to help bring about the transformation of the world.

God created the world and enfolded within everything in creation the potential seed for that thing to help communicate God’s love and grace. God created in us that same seed but made us in His image and likeness so that we could be co-creators with God. We are called to not only let our own lives give glory to God but to help make all creation come alive to give God praise; we are called to transform the world!

In our Church, especially in our seven Sacraments, we use the physical objects or signs that Jesus himself used, like bread and wine. We do what Jesus did: break it, give thanks and eat. When we enter into this ritual we are joining with the millions of people who have done the same thing over and over again throughout history. God transcends space and time and his words and Presence is made present, re-membered (brought back together), through our ritual prayer. This is why we gather in our church, sit together, listen to the stories from our Christian family history, break bread, say the words (‘This is my Body…do this in remembrance of me’), eat the bread of sacrifice and go forth. When we enter into this ritual Jesus is made present as he was at the Las Supper. We physically receive Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist that it may transform us so that we may go out and transform the world.