Friday of the
Third Week of Easter
(Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59)
In the classic tragedy Oedipus Rex, spiritual and physical blindness interplay to the
enlightenment of all. Oedipus’ father,
King Laius, is told in an oracle that his son will kill him and marry his
wife. Determined that this not happen,
Laius plans to have his infant son Oedipus killed. However, the deed is never carried out, and
Oedipus eventually fulfills the prophecy.
In the end Oedipus blinds himself in shame and remorse. In the first
reading there is a parallel story of spiritual and physical blindness.
After Saul’s inquisitorial journey is interrupted by the
appearance of Jesus, he becomes blind.
The infliction functions first as a metaphor of Saul’s spiritual
blindness in punishing Christians. Then
the blindness serves as a catharsis so that Saul may repent of his malicious zeal. When the blindness dissipates, Saul not only
knows the truth but makes amends for his past errors.
Spiritual blindness inflicts most people at one time or
another. We misread situations and cast
blame unjustly. We seek apparent goods like
illicit sex or easy money that bring embarrassment if not downfall and
shame. We miss seeing Jesus in the
suffering. Christ’s light burns away this
blindness like a laser cutting away unwanted tissue. We meet him in the sacraments, and the
encounters leave us in the glow of his love and truth until he comes for us in
full glory at the end of time.
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