Fourth Sunday of Lent

 Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2026

1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9, 1-41

(Image courtesy: Google)

In the late 1700s, the manager of a large hotel in Baltimore refused lodging to a man dressed like a farmer. He turned the farmer away because he thought this fellow’s shabby appearance would discredit the reputation of his distinguished hotel. The farmer picked up his bag and left without saying a further word to anyone. Later that evening, the innkeeper discovered that he had turned away none other than the Vice-President of the United States – Thomas Jefferson! Immediately, the manager sent a note of apology to the famed patriot, asking him to come back and be his guest in the hotel. Jefferson replied by instructing the messenger as follows: “Tell him I have already reserved a room. I value his good intentions highly, but if he has no room for a common American farmer, then he has no room for the Vice-President of the United States of America.” (Brian Cavanaugh). 

The Fourth Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on the way God sees people. Human beings often judge by appearances, by social status, by success, or by outward qualities. God, however, looks deeper. God looks into the heart. The readings of today speak about sight and blindness. They challenge us to ask whether we truly see people the way God sees them, or whether we remain blind in our judgments.

This story reveals something very human. We often judge people by what we see on the outside. We decide quickly who is important and who is not. We assume we know a person's value based on appearance, position, or wealth. But God does not see in this way.

The first reading from the First Book of Samuel shows us this clearly. Samuel is sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel. When he arrives at Jesse's house, he sees the strong and impressive sons standing before him. One of them looks like a perfect candidate for the throne. Samuel is immediately impressed by his appearance. But God stops him and says something very important. Human beings see the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

One by one, Jesse’s sons pass before Samuel. Each one seems strong and capable, but God rejects them all. Finally, the youngest son, David, is called from the fields where he is tending sheep. He is the least expected, the one no one considered important enough even to invite to the gathering. Yet it is this young shepherd whom God chooses as the king of Israel.

This moment teaches us that God often chooses the people whom the world overlooks. The world looks for power, status, and prestige. God looks for humility, openness, and a heart ready to listen.

The second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians continues this theme by speaking about light and darkness. St Paul reminds Christians that once they lived in darkness, but now they are called to live as children of light. To live in darkness means to remain blind to the truth, blind to God, and blind to the dignity of others. To live in the light means to see clearly, to recognise goodness, and to walk in the ways of God.

Paul invites believers to wake up from spiritual sleep. He says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This is a powerful image. Sometimes we go through life without really seeing. We go through our daily routines, yet we fail to notice God's presence around us. We fail to notice the suffering of people beside us. We fail to recognize the value of those whom society ignores.

The Gospel of John presents one of the most beautiful miracles of Jesus, the healing of the man born blind. The disciples see the blind man and immediately ask a question that reflects the common thinking of their time. They assume that the blindness must be the result of sin. Someone must be guilty. Perhaps the man himself, or perhaps his parents. Jesus rejects this way of thinking. Instead of discussing blame, he acts with compassion. He approaches the blind man, places mud on his eyes and tells him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When the man washes, he receives his sight for the first time in his life.

The miracle creates confusion and debate among the people. Some rejoice, but others question what has happened. The religious leaders investigate the miracle again and again. Ironically, the man who was physically blind begins to see the truth more clearly, while the leaders who believe they can see remain spiritually blind.

As the conversation continues, the healed man gradually grows in faith. At first, he calls Jesus simply a man. Later, he calls him a prophet. Finally, when Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, the man believes and worships him. His journey is not only a physical healing but also a spiritual awakening.

The Pharisees, however, refuse to accept what has happened. Their pride prevents them from recognizing the truth. They claim to see clearly, yet their hearts remain closed. Jesus ends the story with a striking statement. He says that he came into the world so that those who do not see may see, and those who think they see may become blind.

The Gospel invites us to examine our own lives. Are we truly seeing with the eyes of faith, or are we blinded by pride, prejudice, and judgment?

Three simple life messages emerge from today’s readings.

God looks at the heart, not at appearances. In our daily lives we easily form opinions about people based on what we see. We may judge someone by their clothing, their education, their background, or their social status. Yet God reminds us that every person has a dignity that goes far beyond outward appearance. The person whom we ignore today may be precious in the eyes of God.

Secondly, Jesus brings light into our blindness. Many times, our blindness is not physical but spiritual. We fail to see our own weaknesses. We fail to recognize the goodness in others. We fail to see how God is working quietly in our lives. The Gospel invites us to approach Jesus with humility and allow him to open our eyes.

Thirdly, once we receive light, we are called to live as children of light. Faith is not only about believing in God. It is about allowing God’s light to shape the way we treat others. A person who truly sees with the eyes of Christ becomes more compassionate, more patient, and more attentive to the dignity of every human being.

At the beginning, we heard a story about a man who was judged only by his appearance. A hotel manager saw only a poor farmer and decided he was not worthy to enter a respectable place. Only later did he realize that the man he rejected was the Vice President of the United States. The mistake happened because he looked only at the outside and failed to see the true value of the person before him.

In the same way, today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus always has time for the poor, the forgotten, and the rejected. If Jesus has time for a blind beggar sitting on the roadside, then he certainly has time for each one of us. For in one way or another, we all come before God as people who are blind and in need of his light. And when Christ opens our eyes, we begin to see the world, and one another, as God truly sees.

During this season of Lent, the Church invites us to open our eyes and hearts to God’s light. Lent is a time to allow Christ to heal our blindness and teach us to see others with compassion and humility. As we continue our Lenten journey, may the light of Christ open our eyes so that we may recognize God’s presence in every person we meet.

Happy Sunday