READ: JOHN 9:1-41
OPENING PRAYER;
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God,
who renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling,
grant, we pray, that your Church may be guided
by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help
in this present age.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
Watch the following videos:
Video for little children: https://youtu.be/JB1yPN_gT8U?si=Eq0UG09A59IVEAYF
Download the Lectio Divina below for John 9:1-41 and experience it as a family.
REFLECTION:
The stories of the man born blind, the woman at the well, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead are a set of readings that must always be proclaimed whenever we celebrate the Scrutinies.
Remember that the Scrutinies are the special rites during the period of purification, healing and enlightenment for those who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil.
These readings are VERY important also for those who are already baptized.
These readings teach us about our baptismal promises.
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is not so much about the woman believing in Christ but about the woman fulfilling her role in proclaiming the Gospel.
She reminds us that our baptism commits us to a life of evangelization (telling others about the love and saving power of Jesus Christ by the every day witness of our lives.
Likewise, the story of Lazarus is not so much about Jesus raising him from the dead but about having faith in Christ even when it looks like death has won. This story is about commitment to a life of faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord.
The story of the man born blind is not so much about the man being healed as it is about seeing as we were created to see, with spiritual eyes of praise and worship of God Almighty.
The man born blind is gradually converted from a life as a blind beggar who used to sit and beg, to a life full of spiritual light, proclaiming and worshipping Jesus as Lord and Savior.
First the man born blind, only knew what Jesus did, "he anointed my eyes" and told me to wash;
When questioned again, he said "He is a prophet."
When asked to confess that Jesus is a sinner, the man who God healed says: "It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything!.
Jesus reveals his identity as the Son of Man to the man who once was blind. The man proclaims that he believes and worships him.
CLOSING PRAYER
Almighty God,
We pray that we may remain faithful to you and boldly give witness to the WORD of eternal life with the spiritual eyes you offer us, now and for ever.
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That trusting in the truth of Christ we may find freedom of mind and heart, and preserve it always, let us pray to the Lord,
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That, preferring the folly of the cross to the wisdom of the world, we may glory in God alone, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That, freed by the power of the Spirit, we may put all fear behind us and press forward with confidence, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That, transformed in the Spirit, we may seek those things that are holy and just, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That all who suffer persecution for Christ's name may find their strength in him let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That those families and nations prevented from embracing the faith may be granted freedom to believe the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That we who are faced with the values of the world may remain faithful to the spirit of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
That the whole world, which the Father so loves, may attain in the Church complete spiritual freedom, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer
Group Prayer
Father of mercy,
You led the man born blind to the kingdom of light through the gift of faith in your Son.
Free us, we pray, from the values that surround and blind us,
and protect us from the father of lies.
Set us firmly in your truth as children of the light for ever.
Let us rejoice in your light, that we may see, and, like the man born blind whose sight you restored, let us prove to be staunch and fearless witnesses to the faith,
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Let us go in peace with the Lord remaining with us always.
Thanks be to God. AMEN.
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