When a person suffers from a serious illness or tragic accident and questions the reason for this occurring, it is good to remember the present Gospel.

The disciples asked Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”(Jn.9:2). It is easy for a person to attribute serious illness or an accident to personal sin or personal faults. In some cases, the answer is correct.

Personal sinfulness or personal fault is not always the case when a serious illness or accident occurs. In the instance of the man born blind, Jesus said neither the man nor his parents were at fault.(Jn.9:3)

The man was born blind in order that the works of God could be revealed in him.(Jn.9:4). Personal illness or accident is an opportunity for the work of God to be revealed.

Even if a person suffers due to past sins,  faulty thinking or actions, God can change the person’s condition and improve the person’s life. Spiritual health and unity with Christ can occur regardless of the condition of the body.

A sound mind and strong will to faithfully follow Christ are necessary for spiritual health. Even a person suffering a mental disorder can move to soundness of mind if he or she applies the reservoir of good thinking remaining.

A person can move from the precipice of spiritual death toward the Kingdom of God by withdrawing from sinful behavior and thinking and putting complete faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus healed the man born blind. Jesus continues to heal individuals who are spiritually blind. Jesus continues to bring light to the soul. Jesus continues to brighten the lives of believers.

The light of Christ associated with the Resurrection  changed the course of history. The Resurrected Christ continues to change lives centuries after the discovery of the empty tomb.(Mk.16:6)

Whenever personal tragedy strikes, whenever a person is diagnosed with a devastating illness, turning to Christ immediately is the soundest step to take.

Christ provides the opportunity for believers to clarify their thinking.

Christ provides the direction for sound action in the midst of a debilitating situation. Hope exists in the Resurrected Christ. Joy exists in the Resurrected Christ. No situation is so bleak that Christ cannot bring personal peace and reconciliation with God.

The thief on the cross turning to Christ at the last possible moment is proof of the value of reaching out to Jesus even at the end of life.(Lk.23:42-43)

The blind man suffered without sight for many years. The blind man’s seemingly irreversible situation was reversed by the Lord Jesus Christ. The man blind from birth became a man of sight.

Not only did the man born blind become a man of sight. He was blessed to see with his own eyes the Lord Jesus Christ. Let each of us rejoice in the Risen Christ and pray we have eyes to see all the good the Lord does in our lives.

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St.George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. May 11/24, 2009.  Sunday of the Blind Man. Sts. Cyril and Methodius. St.Nikodim of Pec. Father Rodney Torbic