Growing in Discernment!

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Fourth Sunday of Lent

1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9: 1-41

The Fourth Sunday of Lent invites us to grow in our spiritual discernment. 

The three readings of the day facilitate our understanding of what discernment looks like with different emphasis.

The first reading cautions us regarding the shallowness of externality. The Lord wants the prophet Samuel to choose the successor king for the people of Israel after King Saul. Samuel sets out to Jesse’s house and makes the sons of Jesse walk the identification parade. Samuel is elated by the appearance and stature of Jesse’s sons. However, God warns him of being deceived by appearances. It is then that the prophet is shown King David, whose tending to the sheep is very symbolic. Only God can examine the human heart. Sometimes we pass judgements as if we were capable of seeing through people. We are warned against such a presumptuous attitude.

In the second reading, Paul reminds us that we should do what is pleasing to the Lord. With the faith we have received, we should live as children of light. Only in that goodness that leads to righteousness can we continue to strive after the Truth, which is God Himself. While Paul invites the Ephesian community to live as witnesses to the light of Christ, such a call implies that we embody honesty, undertake acts of charity and service, and prioritize forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationships with others. Paul intends that Christians live consciously in faithful response to the identity we have received in the Lord. 

The Gospel text contains both a clarification and a recommendation. Clarification comes first. Jesus heals the blind man. However, before the healing takes place, pointing to the blind man, Jesus says that he is blind so that God’s glory may be made visible through him. We must note that Jesus’ statement is strictly applied to the blind man’s suffering and cannot be or should not be extended to interpret the suffering or misery in the world in general. In other words, sometimes we dare to say that God has punished a person or a family or an ethnic group because they committed evil in the eyes of the Lord. Interpreting their present suffering or misfortune, we tend to say that they failed to lead a worthy life. We grossly misunderstand when we think that such people suffer the punishment for their past life. This kind of reading is both erratic and fallacious. Jesus is cautioning against such an attitude.

The pain and suffering that others endure can never be talked about in terms of an example or lesson for us. Likewise, no person’s misfortune is an occasion for us to feel self-righteous or proud. Then, it would amount to say that God cursed them for our sake. That would be a narrow and selfish interpretation of Jesus’ words. In holding such an opinion, we do not just look down upon those who endure pain, misfortune, and suffering, but also vilify the good God as taking selfish pleasure in making someone suffer. The Gospel teaches that we cannot afford to make such a mistake from our pride or self-righteousness. At best, we are called to be in solidarity with suffering humanity and do our best to uplift them. That is God’s intention for us. Good people are good because they ‘choose’ to suffer with others. 

The Gospel then presents a recommendation. The blind man’s healing reveals a paradox. The blind man is not only healed of his blindness but also discovers his faith in stages: at first, he says, ‘a man called Jesus.’ Then he speaks of Jesus as a prophet. Then he calls him ‘sir.’ Finally, he declares, ‘I do believe, Lord.’ On the contrary, those who could see would rather go blind because they fail to recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

The three readings of the day present us with some helpful insights for action.

1. Spirituality is not a grooming of our external appearance. It is about beautifying the inner self with goodness and love. 

2. Discernment is a daily process. The blind man teaches us that the spiritual journey is a gradual deepening of our faith in the Lord. To have faith is to grow in recognition of Christ. 

3. Solidarity with those who suffer is a profound Christian trait. Shouldering the suffering of others or suffering with them in spirit are much-needed spiritual practices.

Let us pray that we may cultivate the habit of daily discernment to deepen our faith in Christ. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar