Education in Faith

4th Sunday in Lent - Year A

On the Sabbath, Jesus cures a man who was blind from birth

In this week the gospel reading is the second in a series of three quite lengthy readings from the gospel of John that are a feature of the Lenten season in Year A of the liturgical cycle. The three readings address three significant themes and images: water; light; and new life. Although the passage is about the healing of a blind man, the event takes place as part of a longer section of the gospel dealing with the image of light and specifically the image of Jesus as Light of the World.

The question asked by the disciples at the opening of this event is an interesting one. They ask, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, for him to have been born blind?’ In Jewish culture at the time, any physical affliction was deemed to be punishment from God for sinful behaviour. Jesus immediately rejects this interpretation of the man’s affliction. Physical and mental illnesses or disabilities are in no way punishment from God.

Although the man’s physical sight is restored by Jesus, his journey from darkness into light is a more complicated affair. He faces disbelief, ridicule and even abuse from the Jewish authorities as they try to discredit Jesus and diminish the impact of the miracle. In fact, their treatment of the man is what drives him along the road from recipient of an act of mercy to a confirmed believer. Furthermore, the Jewish authorities, despite their physical capacity for sight, are shown to be the ones who are truly blind and trapped in darkness because they deny the light that is before their very eyes.

Living the Gospel – Lenten Light

The story of the man born blind is a perfect choice for the Lenten season. During this season we are invited once again to open our eyes to Jesus; to step out of darkness and into the light; to look towards the future with hope and not despair. When we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at the Easter vigil, we celebrate the coming of the Light of the World into our lives. This annual call to turn away from darkness and walk in the light is a powerful and poetic call to focus our lives on the way of Jesus.

Gospel Focus – None so blind

There’s a very old saying that has its roots in the Bible but is not a direct quote from the Bible: ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’ It would be a fitting summary of today’s passage for there are two movements between darkness and light that are evident in the story. Firstly, there is the blind man who can see. He can see physically but can also see the truth of who Jesus is. Secondly, there are the Jewish authorities who have physical sight but are completely blind to the truth of Jesus.

Discussion Starters

• Why might the Jews have associated physical affliction with punishment from God?
• Why might Jesus have performed this miracle in such a physical, ‘hands-on’ way?
• What reasons can you suggest for the apparent reluctance to accept the miraculous healing?
• In what ways can you relate your own experiences to one of the characters in the passage?
• What are the areas of ‘blindness’ in your life?
• How does the pattern of this story differ from most of the healing stories in the gospels?
• What is the man’s logical argument to the Jewish authorities regarding Jesus?
• What are areas of blindness or darkness in our world today that need the light of Jesus?
• In what ways can you be the light of Christ for others?

Sacramental News and Dates

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost for:

•  a guest speaker to conduct a Parent and Child Workshop for each Sacrament.
• professionally made stoles for ALL 3 Sacraments. 
• a candle for children receiving reconciliation.
• children receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation to travel to St. Kevin’s Church for Reconciliation, Eucharist practice by bus.

This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received at the start of the year, before or on the day of your Family Workshop Session.

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au 

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Priscilla, who lives in the Hwange district in Zimbabwe with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in the most vulnerable and remote communities in Zimbabwe. 

During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food.   

With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. Priscilla was able to produce a bumper harvest in her first year of practising in conservation farming. Priscilla also used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. The poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought.

While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis.   

Watch a short film about Priscilla’s story here.

Each Learning Space and the Office has Project Compassion boxes decorated in the House colours. We are encouraging students and parents to donate to Caritas through their House box. Families that would like to take a project compassion box home can collect one from the office. They will need to be returned in the last week of school with your child’s house name on it if you would like the money you collect to go towards your child’s house points. 

This week Mini Vinnies counted the money in the Project Compassion Boxes. The total amount donated by each House was:

                                                1st                           Patrick                  $81.05

                                                2nd                          Bosco                    $52.10

                                                3rd                           MacKillop            $39.15

                                                4th                           Teresa                  $27.75

The total collected so far is $150.80. Thank you to everyone. Another update will be provided next week and the Monday amounts will be added to the Community Spirit award points.

Our Community Spirit Award Competition updates for last week, which includes house points and Caritas money donated:

                        1st                    Patrick             933

                        2nd                   MacKillop       829                  

                        3rd                    Teresa              816                  

                        4th                     Bosco              686

Well done to Patrick!!!    Let’s see who is leading next week. 

Giuliana