Fr. Michael Williams

It seems that in today’s society someone’s appearance is counted as everything. People are often valued for what they look like. It has probably been the same throughout human history. About three thousand years ago the prophet Samuel was sent by God to choose a king for Israel. Samuel presumed the king would be big and strong. When Samuel saw the well built Eliab, Samuel thought this must be the one for king. Yet the Lord says to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees, man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart’. So God chooses David to be king, ‘a boy of fresh complexion, fine eyes and pleasant bearing’, (hardly the attributes of a king according to human values). But God chooses David because his heart is open to the strength and power of God’s Spirit. David is a man who will put his heart and soul into working for the Lord.

It’s a similar story in the gospel reading. The blind man was a beggar, and probably not too pleasing on the eye, but the blind man’s heart was open to the Lord Jesus. This man allowed Jesus to put a paste made out of spit and mud on his eyes. Jesus then tells him: ‘Go and wash in the pool of Siloam’. He washes himself in the pool ‘and came away with his sight restored’. The blind man acted on what Jesus requested of him and his life was changed forever. Even though what the Lord asked the blind man seemed strange, the blind man was obedient to Jesus’ instructions, and the light came into his life. Firstly, the light that allowed him physically see things for the first time. But secondly and most significantly, the light of faith came into his life. A saint of the Church has commented, ‘What an example of firm faith the blind man gives us; he believed; he acted upon the command of God, and he returned with eyes full of light’ (J Escriva). The blind man was obedient to the Lord’s command and it paid dividends. ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’. Having an obedient heart to the Lord’s commands always brings blessings. Of course there are those who choose to ignore the Lord’s teachings and demands. Like the Pharisees in today’s gospel. In the long run those who choose to reject the Lord will undoubtedly regret it. But if we follow the Light of the World, that light will guide us through the valley of darkness of this world, into the Kingdom of light and peace.

Sometimes what the Lord commands us to do and to accept can be confusing and difficult. Being obedient to the Lord’s teachings and His Church’s teachings can be challenging. Nevertheless, being obedient to the Lord brings its own rewards. The shepherd David and the blind man had hearts pleasing to God, because they did what He commanded. And we see the rewards they had. David went on to become the great King of Israel, whose line Jesus would be descended from. Although David, in particular, made mistakes along the way, he always turned his heart back to God. Today also the blind man is universally remembered throughout the world because of his place in St. John’s gospel as an example of faith. Today millions of people are hearing about his faith in every Catholic Church throughout the world. David and the man born blind are no doubt amazed from their place in heaven, that they are still remembered and venerated today. They are remembered and venerated because their hearts were open to the Lord’s commands. So let us follow their example.