Light in Darkness: Seeing What Truly Matters

The readings for this homily

In the Gospel, Jesus performs the miraculous sign of healing a man born blind, revealing His divine power through supernatural manifestations. Yet even as He demonstrates His identity as God Himself, some Pharisees question His authority, trapped in spiritual blindness despite the divine presence before them.

This spiritual blindness persists throughout the centuries. People can stand before the supernatural, the divine, the miraculous — and still doubt. They may see the power of heaven working through prayer, through sacraments, through the intercession of Our Lady, yet choose to reduce it to something lesser.

Consider the intellectual arrogance of the Pharisees. They questioned the man who was healed, demanding answers. When he spoke simply—"He is a prophet"—they cast him out, claiming he was born in sin. Their pride prevented them from seeing the truth.

God often chooses the humble, the small, the unexpected. David was the youngest son, the least likely to be king. Moses hesitated, claiming he could not speak. Jeremiah resisted, feeling inadequate. Yet God took their smallness and made it a vessel for His grace.

Saint John Vianney struggled with Latin in seminary. His classmates doubted him. But the bishop asked: Does he pray? Does he love Our Lady? The answer was yes. And the Lord worked wonders through this man of holy simplicity.

This is how the Lord works. What the world values as important is not as important as the holy simplicity of one who desires intimacy with God. David was known as the man after God's own heart—not because he was perfect, but because he had sincerity of heart that kept returning to the Lord.

Let us never succumb to spiritual blindness. Let us always see the beautiful presence of God in His miracles and wonders. When Jesus shines in this world, it is often through holy simplicity that leads us to a relationship with God truer than anything of the intellectual realm can bring.