"Go Wash in the Pool"
Our bible study group is looking at John 8-9 tonight. These chapters were made to go together ... in chapter 8, Our Lord declares that He is the "light of the world." In chapter 9, He illustrates this point by healing the blind man at the pool of Siloam.
This miracle is dripping with sacramental symbolism. Consider:
1) The man is "born" blind, or blind "from birth." This is the only recorded instance of a man being born blind and being miraculously healed.
2) The discussion turns quickly from natural blindness to the spiritual blindess of the Pharisees
3) Their "darkness" is associated with sin - therefore it would seem that this story is a sign and symbol (while still being true history) of Original Sin. We are the blind man, all of us "born blind."
4) The man is healed through two different - actually three different elements: clay, water, and the Word of Christ to "go and wash."
5) The pool in which he washes is called "Siloam," which St. John is quick to point out, means "Sent." In St. John's Gospel the one who is sent is always and everywhere Christ Himself - He repeatedly says "I am sent by the Father," etc. Thus, to wash in the pool of Siloam is to wash in the pool of the Sent, that is, to wash in Christ's pool - that is, baptism.
6) That Christ first made clay from the ground was seen by several Church Fathers as an action pointing back to the First Creation - when God made Adam from the clay of the earth. Essentially this means that there is some "New Creation" imagery being mixed in with the man's healing from blindness by washing in the pool.
7) The actual Greek word used when the text says that Jesus "smeared" the clay on the man's eyes is "anointed." More baptismal terminology here.
The whole of chapter nine is actually a literary masterpiece ... the blind man climbs a ladder of ascent into illumination and understanding - that is, he becomes less and less blind as the chapter progresses. Spiritually speaking, that is. Read the chapter and see - he confesses that he only knows Christ as a man, but later confesses Him as a prophet, and eventually as the Son of God.
In contrast, the Pharisees descend a ladder into deeper and deeper blindess, initially believing the miracle, then denying the miracle, and ultimately associating Christ with Satan.
If you're not currently reading St. John's Gospel on a daily basis, I hope you'll remedy that situation soon ...
This miracle is dripping with sacramental symbolism. Consider:
1) The man is "born" blind, or blind "from birth." This is the only recorded instance of a man being born blind and being miraculously healed.
2) The discussion turns quickly from natural blindness to the spiritual blindess of the Pharisees
3) Their "darkness" is associated with sin - therefore it would seem that this story is a sign and symbol (while still being true history) of Original Sin. We are the blind man, all of us "born blind."
4) The man is healed through two different - actually three different elements: clay, water, and the Word of Christ to "go and wash."
5) The pool in which he washes is called "Siloam," which St. John is quick to point out, means "Sent." In St. John's Gospel the one who is sent is always and everywhere Christ Himself - He repeatedly says "I am sent by the Father," etc. Thus, to wash in the pool of Siloam is to wash in the pool of the Sent, that is, to wash in Christ's pool - that is, baptism.
6) That Christ first made clay from the ground was seen by several Church Fathers as an action pointing back to the First Creation - when God made Adam from the clay of the earth. Essentially this means that there is some "New Creation" imagery being mixed in with the man's healing from blindness by washing in the pool.
7) The actual Greek word used when the text says that Jesus "smeared" the clay on the man's eyes is "anointed." More baptismal terminology here.
The whole of chapter nine is actually a literary masterpiece ... the blind man climbs a ladder of ascent into illumination and understanding - that is, he becomes less and less blind as the chapter progresses. Spiritually speaking, that is. Read the chapter and see - he confesses that he only knows Christ as a man, but later confesses Him as a prophet, and eventually as the Son of God.
In contrast, the Pharisees descend a ladder into deeper and deeper blindess, initially believing the miracle, then denying the miracle, and ultimately associating Christ with Satan.
If you're not currently reading St. John's Gospel on a daily basis, I hope you'll remedy that situation soon ...
If evil has so taken root within us, every man is born mentally blind. For if he sees, he has no need of a guide. If he does need one to guide and enlighten him, then is he blind from his birth ... He sent him to the pool which is called Siloam. But it was the evangelist's concern to call our attention to the name of this pool; and he adds, "Which is interpreted, Sent." You understand now who it is that was sent; for had He not been sent, none of us would have been set free from iniquity. Accordingly he washed his eyes in that pool which is interpreted, Sent - he was baptized in Christ. If, therefore, when He baptized him in a manner in Himself, He then enlightened him. (St. Augustine, Tractates on John, XLIV, 1-2)
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