This is the fourth in our Lenten reflection series, written by clergy in the Holy Land

Lent 2025 – Week Four:  "God's Grace" in the Gospel of the Healing of the Blind Man

Written by Fr Ramon Haddad, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

I am Father Remon Haddad, a priest of the Latin parish in the village of Aboud for four years, affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate, and responsible for the Christian education office in Palestine. I previously served in the Zababdeh parish for four years as an assistant priest and I served for one year as an assistant priest in the Parish of Ramallah. I was also the deputy spiritual guide of the Christian Youth in Palestine, "Youth of Jesus’ Homeland." I received the sacrament of priesthood by the grace of God in 2016 after spending 13 years in the seminary, both in the minor and major seminaries.

Today, in this sacred Lenten season, we will reflect on the theme of "God's Grace" through the Gospel of John, chapter 9, which narrates the healing of the man born blind. This event clearly reflects how God's grace is for everyone—it is not a right but a gift that He grants us.

In the Gospel, we see that the blind man did not ask Jesus for healing. Instead, it was the disciples who asked about the blind man since birth asking a purely human question— whether his blindness was due to sin. But Jesus sought to first open the disciples' eyes and fill their hearts with grace, saying: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Here, Jesus performs the miracle of healing the blind man to show both him and the disciples that God is capable of everything, and that man receives grace when he surrenders himself to God, allowing God to work in and through him, thus glorifying God in creation.

From this passage, we can draw several lessons for our daily lives:

• The healing of the blind man was a favour from Jesus, not something requested or deserved.

• Jesus uses the healing event to emphasize that He is the Light of the World, and that God's grace, through this miracle, illuminates human spiritual darkness, granting sight and insight.

• The passage also highlights the confession of faith in Jesus, indicating that a person who receives God’s grace becomes a believer, a living person, and one who is open to building a strong relationship with Christ.

Today, we need to experience this miracle in our lives. But how?

The answer is:

1. Gratitude: We should thank God for every grace He grants us. We have countless blessings—such as life itself, family, friends, shelter, food, education, and healthcare. We also have the grace of Christianity and the Church, meaning that Jesus is always with us through the sacraments and His eternal word. He said: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

2. Opening our hearts to God: We must surrender ourselves to Him, saying, "We belong to You; our hearts and lives find rest only in You." When we open our hearts to God, we allow Him to transform our lives, improve our circumstances, and strengthen our relationship with Him and others. This leads us to abandon bad habits, strive to overcome sin, and grow in good deeds. This transformation. happens when we acknowledge Jesus as the Light of the World, who came to give us sight and insight.

3. Living as witnesses of God's grace: Our daily lives should reflect God’s abundant grace. We must be true witnesses of faith, demonstrating our belief in Him through our actions, words, and behaviors. As Saint Paul says: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17. Our mission is to glorify God by living a righteous Christian life, fostering good relationships with others, and being true witnesses of His grace.

As we conclude this reflection, let us say: Thank You, Lord, for every grace and blessing You bestow upon us—not because we deserve them, but because of Your love and mercy. Let us strive to allow God's work to shine through our lives during this blessed Lenten season and throughout our earthly journey, so that in the end, we may receive the ultimate grace of eternal life with Him. Amen

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