Religious Education
LAETARE SUNDAY - The halfway point of LENT
In last Sunday’s Gospel we were shown that people grow in faith step by step. Earlier in Lent we reflected on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John (John 4), which shows the beginning of a person’s journey of faith. This week we hear another powerful story—Jesus healing a man who had been blind since birth (John 9:1–41). This Gospel is traditionally read on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, which marks the halfway point of the Lenten journey. The purple colour of Lent was replaced with rose. The word Laetare means “rejoice”, reminding us that even during Lent we look forward with joy to the hope of Easter.
In this story, a man who has never been able to see meets Jesus and experiences a life-changing moment. At first, the people around him wonder whose fault his blindness is. The disciples even ask Jesus if the man or his parents had sinned. But Jesus explains that the man’s blindness is not about blame. Instead, it will become an opportunity for God’s goodness to be revealed.
Jesus gently places mud on the man’s eyes and tells him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man follows Jesus’ instructions and, for the first time in his life, he can see. It is an incredible miracle.
Not everyone celebrates his healing. Some of the religious leaders doubt him and question what has happened. Eventually they send him away. But when Jesus finds him again and asks if he believes in the Son of Man, the man responds with faith: “Lord, I believe.” He falls at Jesus’ feet and worships him. In that moment he is healed not only physically, but spiritually as well.
This story teaches us some important lessons for our own faith.
Jesus brings healing
Jesus cares deeply about people who are hurting. Just as he healed the blind man, he wants to bring healing and hope to people today. As followers of Jesus, we are called to show kindness, encouragement and compassion to others who may be struggling.
Our church is called to be a place of healing
Pope Francis once described the Church as a “field hospital” where people come to have their wounds healed. This reminds us that our words and actions can help bring comfort and hope to others.
Growing as Disciples means looking honestly at our lives
In this Gospel story, blindness is also a symbol of sin or the things that stop us from living the way Jesus asks us to live. When we ask Jesus to help us see clearly—through prayer, forgiveness and kindness—we can grow closer to him.
As we continue through the season of Lent and pass the halfway point on Laetare Sunday, we are reminded that our journey leads us toward the joy and hope of Easter. Like the man in the Gospel, each of us is invited to trust Jesus, allow him to guide us, and help bring light and hope to the people around us.
Kathryn Ady
Religious Education Leader