It is curious to listen to two eye witness accounts of the same incident and to realize how people, seeing the same thing, view things differently. Because of our perspective, formed by so many experiences, we do view things uniquely. It’s like the old adage: is the glass half full or half empty!! Are we the optimist or the pessimist?

Today’s scripture readings are all about sight and how we view things.

In the first reading from the book of Samuel, God has chosen David as his king, but Samuel has to assess seven brothers before he realizes that God sees differently than we do. David is brought in from the fields, and Samuel realizes that he is the one because God sees more than external appearances; God sees into the heart of David and judges him to be the best choice.

In today’s rather lengthy gospel reading, we hear the story of the man born blind. Jesus simply makes a a clay paste, rubs it on his eyes, and the receives his sight. Helping people to see was an important part of Jesus’ ministry. HE helped some to see physically the light of day. But even more importantly, He cured spiritual blindness so that they could see the goodness of God all around them. Faith and healing are always joined together when Jesus performs a miracle; faith is seeing with the eyes of God and recognizing the miracle of life all around us.

The second reading today reminds the people that before Jesus came they were in darkness; Jesus came to shatter that darkness and to enable them to see the light all around them.

As people of faith we are all called to look at life as God does; to be people who see hope and promise even on the dark days; to be the ones who see the glass as half full.

The season of Lent leads us to the ultimate hope of the Resurrection. SO let us take off the blinders of darkness and shine up those hope filled glasses and see the miracle of life all around us.