"I am the light of the world."

Sunday’s Gospel is about the cure of a blind man—and about the blindness of those who think they can see. The story is set on the Sabbath. Jesus makes clay with his own saliva (what an earthy detail!) and sends the blind man to wash in the “Pool of Siloam.” When he comes back Jesus is not there anymore, but the man’s sight is!
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Mar. 30, 2014 (4LentA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Does the Church allow abortion if the mother's life is at risk?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
First Book of Samuel, Chapter 16, Verse 1b, 6-7, 10-13a

1. Samuel says about God’s choice of David, “Not as man sees does God see.” Do you make decisions based on appearances alone or do you try to look deeper? Is there any similarity between David and the man born blind in the Gospel?

2. What in this reading tells you that grace comes with the call? When you feel you have been summoned to perform some task for God, do you back down because it is too tough? Would God ever give you what you need to get the job done?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 23: 1-6

1. Our psalmist says that the Lord 'anoints' us with oil. Do you believe you are anointed by the Lord? If so, what is the Lord asking you to do?

2. The Psalm says, 'The Lord is my shepherd....' Do you feel like one of the Lord's sheep? As one of His sheep, do you believe 'there is nothing you shall want?'

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verses 8-14

1. Define personal and national darkness as it might exist in today’s world. St. Paul says, “you are the light in the Lord.” If you could, what darkness in the world would you dispel? Is there some way you could do this on a small scale, in your present situation?

2. The Church is supposed to take Christ’s light to every dark place. Where you think Christ would be if he came back physically to the world today? Can your parish be in that place?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 9, Verses 1-41

1. 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 are you? Which title fits you best: bystander, believer, confessor, bold challenger or disciple? Why?

2. The man born blind experienced rejection as he became more and more spirit-filled. Do you think people who suffer know Jesus in a more intimate way than other people? Have you experienced this in your own life?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.