M ISSING THE LIGHT NOT MISSING THE SIGHT 6 th Sunday of the Lent 2012/1728

 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Ps 36:9

(S T. J OHN C HRYSOSTOM ) Let us flee to this Rock (Christ) which cannot be shaken

T HE P ARENTS  His parents answered them and said, “ We know that this is our s on, and that he was born blind; 21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Jn 9:20-22

F EAR 1) Fear from others 2) Fear from being out of your comfort zone 3) Frea from rejection

 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isa 60:19

THE P HARISEES AND O THERS  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”  Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs ?” And there was a division among them. Jn 9:16

O LD BELIEFS 1. Man made for the Sabbath 2. He is a good man 3. Division

T HE D ISCIPLES  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jn 9:2

G ENERALIZATION 1) Karma 2) Judging 3) Believing that they know

T HE B LIND MAN 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out ; and when He had found him, He said to him, “ Do you believe in the Son of God ?” 36 He answered and said, “ Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him ?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “ You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “ Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him Jn 9:35-38

 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 2 Sam 22:29

 It is sad thing that most people live their lives without aspiring as they should to become communicants in the Uncreated Light. Worse, - when they hear anyone tells of this Light, they 1 do not believe in it : they even think that 2 it does not exist, and consider anyone who has received this gift to 3 be mentally sick. But the soul to whom it has been given to live the love of Christ know how it leads the spirit into heavenly spheres, where death is not and God is contemplated in the indescribable Light.  Logically, there is no proof from us of eternal life. But when the Divine strength descends on man, he becomes a real participants in Divine eternity, and all rational proofs are superfluous, Elder Sophrony ( On Prayer P85)