Jesus spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes
4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Today’s Gospel teaches us several lessons about faith, compassion, and healing. In particular, it challenges us to think about our role in taking care of sick children. Whether we are parents, guardians, healthcare providers, or simply concerned members of our community, we have a responsibility to show love, care, and kindness to sick children.
Caring for a sick child can be a challenging and exhausting experience. But it’s not just about treating the illness; it’s also an opportunity to teach love and compassion. By showing kindness, patience, empathy, and comfort, parents demonstrate to their child the importance of caring for others.
The video captures a day in the life of a family with sick children. The parent takes care of their children, preparing Otter Pops for breakfast and giving them medicine. Despite the challenges, the parent finds moments of joy, such as when the children create artwork together. The video highlights the importance of slowing down and taking care of oneself and those around us when sick.
We must acknowledge that sickness is not a result of sin or divine punishment. Just as the blind man in John 9 was not responsible for his condition, sick children are not to blame for their illnesses. Instead of asking why they are sick or who is to blame, we should focus on how we can help them. Like Jesus, we should show empathy and understanding towards sick children and their families. We should pray for them, encourage them, and offer practical support.
Notice that Jesus used saliva and mud to make a paste, which he applied to the man’s eyes. Even though this was an unconventional method, it worked. Similarly, we must be creative in our efforts to care for sick children. We may not have all the answers, but we can try our best to find solutions that work. For example, giving your child popsicles for hydration and energy. Or how about warm tea with sugar and heating pads, or a cozy blanket and a hot towel from the dryer after bath time?
We must be willing to have the child take some responsibility for getting well. Jesus did not just pray for the man’s healing but asked the man born blind to take practical steps to make it happen. He told him to wash in the pool of Siloam, which involved some effort and risk on the man’s part. Likewise, we should not just offer empty words of sympathy but also give a sick child concrete steps to care for him or herself while they are sick. For example, parents can encourage their child to rest, eat healthily, and take medicine as directed, showing them that taking care of their body is an essential part of feeling better. This lesson can help them develop healthy habits that will benefit them later in life.
