Fourth Lent

John 9: 13 – 15

They marched the man to the Pharisees. This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath. The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, “He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”

As we enter the fourth week of Lent, the story of the man born blind offers a powerful challenge for Catholic educators. This is not just a story about physical sight – it’s about perception, courage, and transformation. The man sees clearly, not just with his eyes, but with his heart. Meanwhile, those around him – teachers, neighbours, religious leaders – struggle to see beyond their assumptions.

In our classrooms, we encounter our own “blind spots.” We see behaviours, grades, or labels first, and sometimes miss the person underneath. Lent invites us to pause and reflect: How can we open our eyes to the gifts, struggles, and potential in each student? How can we challenge the systems, routines, and expectations that might be keeping some children “in the dark”?

This week, let’s consider teaching moments as opportunities to model the courage of the man born blind. Encourage students to question, to notice, to care. Create spaces where curiosity, empathy, and dialogue are valued over judgment. And most importantly, examine how we see ourselves – our assumptions, biases, and opportunities for growth as educators called to serve with Christ’s vision.

Lent is a season of renewal. Let’s use it to sharpen our vision, not just academically, but spiritually and relationally, guiding our students to see clearly and act with love.