But the LORD said to Samuel: 
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, 
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see, 
because man sees the appearance 
but the LORD looks into the heart.

I Samuel 16: 7

Here are the complete readings for Sunday, March 30, 2025.

(“Jesus gives sight to a blind man by birth” Miniature by Cristoforo De Predis)

What are the emotional walls we use to protect ourselves from pain that we need to tear down so that we can see and hear properly? Repentance can be a daily activity, not only to confess sins but to reflect on who we are and have been over the course of the day. Besides thinking about what we’ve done wrong, can we think about the moments when we have shown gratitude and when have we given other people our full attention? Sometimes this process of contemplation can take time and the immediate results unclear. Consider the transformation of the man born blind. While he received his physical sight immediately from Jesus, the man’s understanding of who he was and who Jesus was took time. Gradually, he became more and more aware of who he was to be, and faced the adversity that came with this decision with increasing courage and confidence. As people who practice faith through both action and contemplation, let us remember that conversions can and do happen in their own time. At its core, conversion is the joyful realization that we are loved and are capable of loving in communion and service with God.

At times you will discover
that God’s ways are not your ways,
and God’s thoughts are not your thoughts.
When this happens,
try to surrender yourself trustingly
into the arms of your Parent God,
who knows you,
understands you,
and loves you.

Perhaps you can repeat
with your Founder
this simple prayer
which he cherished:
O Lord, I cannot understand your ways,
but I must adore them.– The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, the path forward is so clearly lit by you. When I go off course, help me to be honest and not blame my failings on someone else without first looking deep in my own heart to find the source of my troubles. You give us the gift of your presence, which is what we need. Inspired by this confidence, may I step forward to be present to others who find themselves lost or alone.

Amen