The Blind Shall See
This Sunday’s gospel narrative allows us to examine closely the intense and ever increasing tension developing between the Pharisees who can see physically, but are spiritually blind, and a simple, humble man who is physically blind, but who eventually is able to see who Jesus really is.
The Pharisees deny that which is evident: Jesus healed the man born blind. They refuse to accept that which is obvious. Is not this the situation of our contemporary world?
For example, it is obvious and evident that life begins at the moment of conception, and yet in the face of scientific proof, many continue to promote abortion. If human life did not begin at the moment of conception, why would an abortion be necessary in the first place?
Furthermore, a blind humanity continues to advance destructive practices such as embryonic stem-cell research, homosexual marriages, euthanasia, and human cloning. Many refuse to see the consequences of godless behavior on human society. How much more destruction must take place before people begin to see the truth?
Unfortunately, our own country has become profoundly divided between two opposing forces. On the one hand, the radical left decries any appearance of traditional values in the name of individual rights. When Americans speak out in support of family values, they respond by questioning the substance of these values.
On the other hand, the radical right can be just as polarizing as their counterparts on the left. They decry the immorality of our times, but they are usually void of any Christian charity.
Similarly, this ideological battlefield has caused a profound division in the Catholic Church in America. During a past ad limina visit, Chicago’s Cardinal George addressed these words to Pope John Paul II:
“The Church's mission is threatened internally by divisions which paralyze her ability to act... (Continued here.)
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