Discrimination is an act against God

When God created the universe in which men were to dwell, he saw that it was good (Genesis 1:31). So, the creation of men was pleasing to God because men were created in God's image (1:26). However, sin crept in and men became ugly, some physically and some spiritually. Still, God does not give men up. Men have become the object of God's salvation plan. Therefore, any act of discrimination against fellow men is an act against God, both because man is an image of God and man is the object of God's salvation. In the gospel reading today (John 9), we read of blatant discrimination against a man born blind and against Jesus.

It was traditional Jewish thinking that being born blind was a punishment from God. Such a way of thinking was inevitable because of a lack of medical knowledge. Jesus did not refute it. The Jews could continue to think in this way because sickness can be self inflicted. Unhealthy and even harmful life styles can cause diseases and even kill. But there is another factor which reinforces such a way of thinking. People want to believe that some diseases are punishments from God because if you are not ill, you are not a sinner. You are righteous in front of God and people. You feel good. So, a lack of knowledge plus a sense of self-righteousness would perpetuate such a prejudice and prejudice is hard to erase.

Jesus restored the sight of a man born blind to show God's compassion for the social outcast. The blind man did not choose to be blind. It was unfortunate that he was born blind. He deserved compassion rather than discrimination. However, discrimination was what he received. Instead of celebration for the restoration of his sight, the man received more discrimination because he defended Jesus. The Pharisees were declaring a war against God and their guilt remained.
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, `We see,' your guilt remains." (John 9:41)

There were good and bad Pharisees. Not all of them, perhaps a minority, were bad such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. There are good and bad Christians. Not all of them, perhaps a minority, were bad. When Christians become self-righteous, they are not different from those self-righteous Pharisees. Being self-righteous suggests that they are spiritually blind to their need of God's salvation. The problem is people want to believe that they have no problem. Others have problem. I am OK. You are not OK. At this moment, I feel good. I don't need God. Don't bother me. Moreover, I enjoy pointing fingers at the others! That is why the blind man was cured while the guilt of the self-righteous Pharisees remained. Alas! Nowadays, there are many self-righteous Christians waging wars, in the name of God, against the homosexuals and ... God. They are blind to the fact that men created in the image of God. Some choose to become saints, some homosexuals. All men are objects of God's salvation.

Dear Lord, let me receive my sight (Mark 10:51). Amen.