and his eyes were opened

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 29, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 9. This chapter narrates the encounter of Jesus with a blind man who is a beggar. Jesus saw a man with congenital blindness.

The result of the encounter was a miracle. The blind man can now open his eyes after Jesus put a mixture of saliva and mud into his eyes. Why saliva and mud? Yuck! I don’t know of the medicinal value of mud and saliva but this is the underlying meaning: we are all made from dust, from mud.

Jesus used this incident to differentiate a man who was once in “darkness” but is now in the “light.” The bringer of the “light” is Jesus who declared “I am the light of the world” (v.5).

In the Half-moon drive, there is a big globe with a picture of Jesus Christ inside it. The words “I am the Light” are also inscribed on top of the picture. This is a visible reminder in the campus that Jesus brings light to our darkened world.

The interesting part of the story is on how this man responded to the miracle that happened to him. We can learn three things from his responses.

First, the man testified courageously. The healing experience of this man was challenged not only by his neighbors but by the Pharisees as well. At first there was some hesitation in his testimony but later on when he was cornered by a lot of people, he courageously declared that Jesus is a prophet. He responded with great logic and reasoning (vv.26-34) that even the Pharisees were caught off guard.

Second, his testimony was brought about by his accountability to become the “bringer of light.” He “let his light shine” (Matt. 5:16) to other people. He knew what it is to be in “darkness”, thus, this propelled him to bring the “light” (Jesus) to those who are in the “dark.” He wants others to experience the metanoia – of being transformed.

Third, he became a disciple of Jesus with the mission to “open the eyes” of other people. In his second encounter with Jesus, this man was taught that there are people who can physically see but are spiritually blind (v.39).

This lesson became his commission to help “open the eyes” of those who are spiritually blind. His desire to reach others was intensified with his awareness that God will judge each person according to their response to the message of the “light” (Jesus). He wants others to “open their eyes” also.

The three responses of the former blind man present to us three questions that we need to ask ourselves. First, are we testifying courageously for the cause of Jesus Christ? Second, do we let our light shine so that others may experience metanoia? Third, are we continuing the mission to open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain




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