A Homily on John 9: 1-12,35-38: Choosing Path of Brightness or Darkness ( Syro Malabar )

A  Homily on John 9:1-12 and 35 to 38 that asks whether we will turn toward the light or remain blind in the heart…(10/8/2025)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

    High on a rocky ridge two young eagles were blown away by a sudden storm. They fell into a valley and were found by a farmer who placed them in his shelter until they healed. One of the eagles kept looking up. Each day it stretched its wings and tried to rise toward the sun. Bit by bit, its eyes grew stronger. When the farmer opened the shelter one clear morning the bird flew up and did not look back. The other eagle stayed on the ground. It learned to walk among the hens, to pick for grain, and to hide from the wind. Its eyes were not hurt, but after many months it no longer recognised the sky. When the shelter door was opened, it blinked at the brightness and slipped away into the shadow again.

     In today’s Gospel Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth. That man moves from curiosity to faith. First he calls Jesus the man, then a prophet, then someone from God, and finally he bows down and says, Lord, I believe. His sight grows, and with sight comes faith.

     The Pharisees are like the eagle that would not fly. Their eyes work, yet their hearts grow hard. They see a clear miracle before them and still refuse to accept it. They have light but choose darkness. This is the terrible thing about spiritual blindness. Physical blindness often has medicine or treatment. Spiritual blindness has no doctor, no operation, no easy fix. Only humility, repentance, and the willingness to be changed by God can open that kind of eye.

     Think of our homes. A man who doubts his wife every time she speaks lives in a kind of darkness. He sees her, he hears her, but he cannot recognise her love. A woman who never notices the silent work of her husband, who counts what is missing rather than what is given, is blind in the heart. Parents who only look for faults in their children and never celebrate what is good are blind. Children who never see the sacrifices of their parents are blind. These are ordinary people, not bad people, yet they live as though the light has passed them by.

     The Old Testament shows the same choice. Moses stood before the burning bush and listened. He let the light call him beyond his fears. Pharaoh saw sign after sign and hardened his heart. One man moved toward the light, the other closed himself off. Saint Augustine taught us that faith is to believe what we do not yet see and that the reward of faith is to see what we believe. The healed man in the Gospel chose to believe until he saw. The Pharisees chose to hold on to what they thought they already knew even the truth was revealed to them. “He has put fire and water before you; you can stretch out your hand and take what you please” (Sirach 15: 16). Creator never compels the creation to follow what Creator wish, but He respects the free will of each and every individual. In Revelation 3/20 John remarks, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”. But if somebody closes the door to truth they will be paving their own grave as the pharisees and all who denied truth. But who opens the door to truth will be redeemed. The present scenario that is happening is happening in our country and world wide can be explained as actions who try to the silence the voice of truth. But those who are not ready to give up may be persecuted like Fr. Stan Swamy and the the nuns who were arrested and put in Jail. But choosing comfort zones for our safety is a mode of escapism from persecution for faith. Let us proclaim the truth and the Christ aloud like the blind man in the Gospel. Let us choose the path of brightness and let our light be enlightened at the top for at least one who are searching for the truth. Matthew in his Gospel calls us for this “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5/16).

So the question is simple and personal. In which group do I belong? Do I have the real sight that looks for goodness, that forgives, that thanks, that notices the small sacrifices in my family and community? Or do I have the kind of sight that only judges, that only protects comfort, that refuses to be changed by the light of Christ? Always remember the power of right choice is boundless… It may convert and save many souls like Samandar Singh and  Alexander who was opened to light after attacking innocent souls like Bl. Rani Maria and St. Maria Goretti

    The good news is that the light is offered to everyone. If we are ready to look up, to let go of pride, and to admit that we need help, the Lord will open our eyes. He wants us to soar. Let us make a start with the small light like the fire-fly and later on Hod will grow us into beam lights that reach further…. 

Lord, open the eyes of my heart so I may see You and stay with the truth, I believe…

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