3/15/2026 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reading: John 9:1-41

1 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
4 We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes,
7 and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent -. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
8 His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
9 Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”
10 So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
11 He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
12 And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”
13 They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14 Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15 So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
16 So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
18 Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?”
20 His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21 We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.”
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue.
23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”
24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
26 So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
28 They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses!
29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”
30 The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
32 It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
33 If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.”
34 They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.”
38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
39 Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

or

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

1 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
6 he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes,
7 and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent -. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
8 His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
9 Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”
13 They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14 Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15 So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
16 So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
34 They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.”
38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

3/15/2026 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 9:1-41

The Gospel narrative above begins with a man who had been blind since birth. Many people around him viewed his condition as a punishment or the result of someone’s wrongdoing. In that culture, suffering was often explained by blame. But Jesus shifted the focus away from blame and toward purpose. Instead of asking who was responsible for the man’s condition, He demonstrated that even painful circumstances can become opportunities for God’s goodness to be revealed.

This message speaks strongly to modern life. Even today, when people face illness, disability, financial hardship, or personal struggles, others sometimes rush to judge or explain the situation. Someone who loses a job may be labeled irresponsible. A person dealing with depression may be misunderstood as weak. A student who struggles academically might be unfairly considered incapable. Yet the story reminds us that a person’s difficulty does not define their worth or their potential.

After the man received his sight, something remarkable happened. The miracle did not simply restore his physical vision; it also revealed the attitudes of the people around him. Some celebrated the transformation, but others questioned it, criticized it, or refused to believe it. Instead of rejoicing in the man’s healing, certain leaders became more concerned about protecting their authority and traditions.

This reaction still happens today. When positive change occurs in someone’s life, not everyone responds with joy. For example, a former addict who rebuilds their life may still face suspicion from people who only remember their past. A student who once struggled but later succeeds may encounter people who doubt their abilities. Sometimes society is quick to label people but slow to recognize transformation.

The man who had been healed, however, showed courage and honesty. Though he did not understand everything about what had happened, he confidently shared what he experienced. His simple testimony became powerful because it was genuine. He did not argue with complicated theories; he simply spoke about the change that occurred in his life.

This reminds us that personal experience can be a strong witness. In our modern world, people are often influenced more by authentic stories than by abstract arguments. When someone shares how faith helped them overcome grief, how kindness changed their perspective, or how forgiveness restored a broken relationship, others are inspired to believe that change is possible.

The story also highlights another important lesson: true blindness is not always physical. Some people in the narrative had perfect eyesight yet failed to see the truth unfolding before them. Their pride and certainty prevented them from recognizing something extraordinary happening right in front of them.

In modern terms, this kind of blindness appears when people refuse to learn, listen, or reconsider their assumptions. A person may be highly educated yet unwilling to admit mistakes. A community may hold onto prejudice even when evidence shows a better way forward. Real vision involves humility, the willingness to see beyond our limited perspectives.

Ultimately, this story encourages us to look at people with compassion rather than judgment, to celebrate transformation instead of questioning it, and to remain open to the ways God can work through unexpected situations.

When our hearts are open and our vision is guided by humility, we begin to see the world differently. We see possibilities where others see limitations, hope where others see failure, and God’s quiet work unfolding in the lives of ordinary people every day.

Go here to read further Gospel reflection.