1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

Reflection Questions

John 9:2-3
• To what extent is the disciples’ view of sin, God, and life’s circumstances, as represented by their question, typical of how I react to others’ or my own misfortunes?

• What kind of relationship with God would such a view foster? How does Jesus’ response clarify this issue?

• Are there some ways in which I can respond to painful aspects of my past or my life today so that “the works of God might be displayed” through my life?

John 9:4-5
• Who is included in the “we” who Jesus says “must work the works of him who sent [Jesus]”? In what ways, and to whom, can I bring healing and Jesus’ light?

John 9:4-5
• What is the significance of the words, “while it is day; night is coming”? What are some windows of opportunity currently open to me that will close in the foreseeable future?

John 9:6-7
• What can I learn about obedience and blessing from the fact that this man obeyed despite his limited knowledge?