Discussion Questions

First Reading

1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

F1. “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the hearts.” Explain how this applies to the choice of David, who was the youngest and least likely son, as king.

F2. Does the right grace come along with the call? What in this reading tells you that? When you feel you have been summoned to perform some task for God, what do you do? Assume that God will give you what you need to get the job done? Or back down at the thought of obstacles?

Second Reading

Ephesians 5:8-14

S1. Define personal and national “darkness” as it exists in the world today. St. Paul says that you are light. If you could, what darkness in the world would you dispel? Is there some way you could do this on a small scale where you are right now?

S2. Is the Church present in every dark place that you think Christ would be if he were physically present in the world today? In which of those dark places can you find your parish working to bring light?

Gospel

John 9:1-41

G1. In the beginning of the Gospel, the blind man was simply a man on the street. By the end of the Gospel he was thrown out of the synagogue for defending Jesus. What changed him into a disciple? Which of these titles fits you: passer-by, believer, confessor, challenger or disciple? 

G2. Pope Francis tracks the blind man’s path below from spiritual blindness to light. Can you relate to your own spiritual blindness slowly turning to light in your life? Is it enough to receive the light? What are you supposed to do with it?

The Gospel (cf. Jn 9:1-41) recounts the episode of the man blind from birth, to whom Jesus gives sight. He operates illumination on two levels: a physical level and a spiritual level: the blind person first receives the sight of the eyes and then is led to faith in the “Son of Man” (cf. Jn 9:35), that is, in Jesus. It is all a journey. …

He takes a route that leads him to gradually discover the identity of the One who opened his eyes and to confess his faith in him. At first he considers him a prophet (cf. Jn 9:17); then he recognizes him as one Who comes from God (cf. Jn 9:33); finally he welcomes him as the Messiah and prostrates himself before him (cf. Jn 9:36-38). …

He is no longer a beggar marginalized by the community; he is no longer a slave to blindness and prejudice. His path of enlightenment is a metaphor for the path of liberation from sin to which we are called. …

The healed blind man, who now sees both with the eyes of the body and with those of the soul, is the image of every baptized person. … But it is not enough to receive the light, one must become light. Each one of us is called to receive the divine light and manifest it with our whole life.

Pope Francis, Angelus, 4th Sun of Lent
March 22, 2020

Anne Osdieck

**From Saint Louis University