During the week, Pope Francis tweeted this message, “Let us allow ourselves to be loved by God, so that we can give love in return. Let us allow ourselves to stand up and walk towards Easter” (March 17, 2020).

In the first reading (1 Samuel 16:1-13), David was left to look after his father’s sheep and was not seen as worthy of becoming a King. But as it says in this reading, “God does not see as humans see: humans look at appearances but God looks at the heart”. David was a man after God’s own heart and became King of Israel. David made mistakes in his life. He was blinded by idols and temptations, but God loved him through it all and He forgave him his sins.

In the Gospel reading (John 9:1-41) we hear about the ‘man that was born blind’. He was also a sinner. “You are a sinner through and through,” but he had the sight to see Jesus. And Jesus healed him of his blindness and he believed.

As we reach over halfway through our Lenten journey, Easter is beginning to appear in the distance. We may still be walking in a fog, discouraged by the unknown, or visually impaired because of our sins. Let’s turn to our faith in Jesus.

As Pope Francis says, “Let us allow ourselves to stand up and walk towards Easter”.