Episode 3013: From Blindness to Light - Morning Episode

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Book Recommendation of the Day
Quas Primas – Pope Pius XI
Establishes the Feast of Christ the King and affirms Christ’s social kingship.
From Blindness to Light
Introduction:
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the sacred readings for Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent, following the 1962 Roman Missal. We will also honor today’s traditional feast and draw inspiration from the themes of repentance, faith, and divine mercy in preparation for Easter.
Epistle: Isaias (Isaiah) 1:16-19
"Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes: cease to do perversely, Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow. And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow, and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool. If you be willing, and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land: but if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath, the sword shall devour you, because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
Explanation:
This passage is a divine call to repentance. Isaiah, speaking on behalf of the Lord, exhorts the people to cleanse themselves of sin and live virtuously. It is not enough to perform outward acts of worship. God desires sincere conversion of heart. The promise follows: those who turn from sin and obey the Lord will be blessed, while those who resist will face divine judgment.
Reflection:
Lent is a season of purification, and Isaiah’s message is a direct invitation to remove sin from our lives. We are called to “wash” ourselves spiritually through confession, penance, and amendment of life. God’s mercy is abundant. He promises that even the worst sins, as red as crimson, will become white as snow if we repent. However, if we remain stubborn, divine justice will prevail. This passage should urge us to seek true contrition and the grace of conversion.

Gospel: John 9:1-38 (The Healing of the Man Born Blind)
"And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth: And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, whilst it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Explanation:
This powerful gospel recounts the miraculous healing of the man born blind. The disciples initially assume his blindness is a punishment for sin, but Christ corrects them: his affliction was permitted so that God’s glory could be revealed. Jesus heals him by using clay and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
The Pharisees, refusing to acknowledge Christ’s divine power, interrogate the man and reject his testimony. When he boldly declares that Jesus is from God, they cast him out. Christ then reveals Himself to the man as the Son of God, and he responds in faith and worship.
Reflection:
This passage is a profound metaphor for the soul’s journey from spiritual blindness to enlightenment in Christ. The blind man represents fallen humanity, which is unable to see divine truth without grace. His healing is symbolic of baptism and the cleansing power of God’s mercy.
The Pharisees, on the other hand, illustrate the stubbornness of those who refuse to accept the truth. Their spiritual blindness is far worse than the man's physical blindness, for they reject Christ even when faced with undeniable proof of His divinity.
As we continue our Lenten journey, we must ask ourselves: Do we allow Christ to heal our spiritual blindness, or do we stubbornly cling to our own understanding? Are we open to the truth, even when it challenges our preconceptions?
Traditional Feast Day: St. Francis of Paola (1416-1507)
Today, we also honor St. Francis of Paola, a humble yet powerful miracle-worker and founder of the Order of Minims. He was known for his extreme penance, deep humility, and unwavering trust in divine providence. St. Francis reminds us that holiness comes through sacrifice, detachment from worldly comforts, and an unwavering faith in God’s will.
Themes of the Day:
• Repentance and Purification: Isaiah urges us to cleanse our souls through true contrition.
• Spiritual Blindness vs. Enlightenment: Like the blind man, we must allow Christ to open our spiritual eyes.
• Perseverance in Faith: The man born blind did not waver under persecution—he boldly proclaimed Christ’s power.
• Humility and Penance: Following the example of St. Francis of Paola, we are called to embrace self-denial.
Concluding Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in humility, acknowledging our need for Your cleansing grace. Wash away our sins and remove our spiritual blindness so that we may see and follow You more faithfully. Through the intercession of St. Francis of Paola, grant us the strength to embrace penance and live with greater devotion. May our Lenten journey lead us closer to Your divine truth. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Closing:
Thank you for joining us in today’s reflection on the scripture readings and feast day from the 1962 Roman Missal. May these meditations inspire you to seek God’s mercy and walk in His light. Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you.