In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of Christ healing a man born blind. His disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Fr. Gregory gives the background to this question, explaining that both viewpoints are misinterpretations of Old Testament passages. Christ replies to his disciples that they could neither blame the man nor his parents for his condition. Rather, he says that the man’s blindless was so that “the works of God might be manifest in him,” after which he heals him.

Fr. Gregory show us how we can apply these words of Christ to our own lives. Seeking blame or an explanation for the sufferings we face is fruitless, because these crosses we bear are beyond our understanding. However, by walking with Christ, believing him, and worshipping him, we can make the works of God manifest in ourselves. Fr. Gregory concludes with an encouragement from Romans 8:18 which says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”