Halfway point and a little plus. Here we are on our shared Lenten journey.

We have, whether we know it or not, come together with all Catholic communities throughout the World to walk a common path of Scripture.

Ash Wednesday, we were marked with ashes and heard, "Remember! You are Dust! and to dust you shall return.

First Sunday, we shared the story from Matthew of Jesus' 40 days in the desert. Jesus, unlike the man and woman in the garden, did not succumb to temptation. That first Sunday we were reminded that we do not have to be slaves to sin.

Second Sunday of Lent, we joined Peter, James, and John on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured. A shared opportunity for us to realize Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and of the prophets of the Old Testament. To be open to the Lord's transfiguring call and love in our own lives.

Then last Sunday, the Third Sunday of Lent, we heard the story of the woman at the well. That gospel from John invites us to consider how the Risen Christ is with us in our own baptisms.

This week we hear the story of the Man Born Blind. It brings to mind how the Jewish concept was that anyone or anything less than perfect (complete) was less in the mind of God and related to sin. So today's gospel opens with the question of who sinned to cause this blindness, the man himself or his parents. Today's gospel challenges us be like the Blind Man and to accept the gift of sight, God's sight. We are faced with our own continuing need of conversion so we can accept our call, just as David was called. Certainly his call was a surprise. Isn't your personal call being one? The Pharisees didn't accept the Truth of Jesus, the Light, as it were. We don't want to be like them. Today, reminds us that if we are to err, it is to err on the side of Love.

Next week, we hear the story of Lazarus, and in a nutshell, we remember that Jesus has authority, even over death.

And then the next week is Palm Sunday, and we'll hear of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and read the Passion and march into Holy Week for the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

So why am I telling you this, and what do these snippets do for us?

For those preparing for Baptism, these readings are offered for their study and reflection.

Every three years, the whole Church reads them.

So on one hand they call us to journey with those preparing for baptism, and on the other hand, they are stepping stones for ourselves.

We are then urged to consider strategically what the temptations of our lives are and we pray for the grace to live through them to everlasting life,

to be open to the Lord's transfiguring call and love in our own lives, to drink of the water of everlasting life in the recalling of our baptism and to drink that water in the blessing of ourselves at our holy water font,

to have our eyes opened that we might not be blind to God's presence,

to accept the promise of resurrection in sharing of the raising of Lazarus and then the journey of Holy Week.

So, if you have not reserved the evenings of April 21st, 22nd, and the 23rd. Go home and mark it on your calendar. If you are serious about your faith and want to be a part of the new birth of baptism, these weeks of reflection and the sharing of Holy Week are gifts from God.

In today's Gospel, Jesus cures a man born blind - but the greater miracle is opening the eyes of those around him to "see" the presence of God in their midst.

The Christ of Lent opens our eyes, enabling us to see beyond the humdrum of just going to church to realize just how connected we are as God's people. Imagine everyone in the Roman Catholic (and many Protestant traditions) who have heard this very same reading today.

Realizing the power of our shared voice, consider how unblinded we might be if we could shatter the darkness of injustice and hatred and re-create our world in the light of justice and compassion.