St James Catholic Church

Today we have reached the halfway point of Lent, we call this Laetare Sunday.  A Latin word meaning, rejoice.  We rejoice in the knowledge that the cross does not end in death, that Jesus’ story does not end in the tomb.  The Church also celebrates the second scrutiny for Alec, the young boy from our parish anticipating his baptism at the Easter Vigil.  This is also an opportunity for all of us to look into our heads for the sinful habits and tendencies we may not even see.  Our Gospel is Jesus healing a blind man.  More importantly, he can heal our blindness to sin as well. 

As wonderful as it is that Jesus heals people and puts an end to their physical disabilities, it is every bit as important that he welcomes them into full participation in society.  Remember that when he encountered those who were lame or had leprosy, it was outside the synagogue, for they were considered unclean.  The blind man was considered unclean as well.  Totally in sin.  Jesus gives him sight, and he gives him admittance to the synagogue.  Just as the Good Shepherd goes out to find the lost sheep, Jesus, immediately goes and finds him and brings him back into the fold.  The man he healed could again fully participate in his faith.

The Pharisees refused to change their attitude about keeping the sabbath or the sinfulness of the one born blind.  The man’s parents also chose that, though out of fear.  They chose to deny what they saw rather than risk being expelled from the synagogue.  But not the blind man.  He accepts this miracle worker as the Son of Man.  It wasn’t only his literal vision that was changed.  May we live also as children of light as Paul says in our second reading.  Opening our eyes and the eyes of others, guiding them to what is good, righteous, and true.  Indeed, we have much to rejoice about today. 

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

March 19th falls on a Sunday this year.  So the church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph tomorrow.  There is a blessing called the blessing for St. Joseph’s Table.  Let us remember on a special day the poor and hungry, the strange and the needy at our tables that day.

Friday, March 24th, is the International Day of the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.  We pray for this intention, especially in light of the war in Ukraine.