Lenten Thoughts

Three Models

On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent in Year A of the Lectionary (that is the book of readings for Mass), we are presented with three great figures from the gospels.  Last Sunday, we had the Woman at the Well, this coming Sunday, we will have the Blind Man and on the following Sunday, we will have the raising of Lazarus.

In early centuries and again today, these three figures are being presented to us to invite us to see if we can identify with them, inviting us to put ourselves in their shoes.

In each case, Jesus clearly presents himself to them as the Messiah as the one who was expected.  Each of them stands before him as they are and their personalities come out as they speak with him.

The Samaritan Woman is quite forthright in her reactions to Jesus and he takes her very seriously.  He breaks through taboos to speak with her – she is a ‘hated’ Samaritan and a woman alone!  She has a very chequered past which he takes seriously but does not let come between them.  (Read Chapter 4, verses 1 to 42 of St John’s Gospel.)

The Blind Man is cured and is hauled up before the Pharisees who will not take him or his cure seriously.  He becomes almost disdainful of the Pharisees who will not accept that he can now see.  Jesus opens our eyes to see the way of the world (shown by his resurrection), to see who God really is, to see what God really asks of us.  The Pharisees want God to obey their rules!! (Read chapter 9 of St John’s Gospel.)

Lazarus does not have anything to say – he is dead!  But Martha and Mary have their say.  Martha in particular is no shrinking violet.  She comes close to questioning Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but even now….”.  And Mary says similarly.  Yet we find in them women of profound faith who come before Jesus, even in their grief.

Jesus weeps over Lazarus his friend.  But then Lazarus is freed from death.  Jesus says about Lazarus: “Unbind him, let him go”.  These words apply to all of us, he will say equivalent words over each of us as we enter into death.  It no longer has power over us! (Read chapter 11 of St John’s Gospel).

These three figures are given to us during Lent to enable us to begin to understand what God is offering us (John 4.10).

By Fr Frank O’Loughlin