Each Lent we’re treated with the story of the man born blind. It’s a long gospel, so I think the church is just trying to get us ready for the real long Passion reading. But there are so many details in this narrative worth contemplating. One detail that might go unnoticed is the fact that the leaders accuse the blind man of faking his blindness all his days. Doesn’t that make you want to say, “Are you kidding me? ”Who goes their whole life pretending to be blind. Forcing one into a life of misery and poverty? Such a stupid accusation reinforces the fact that they hated Jesus so much that they were ready to believe the unbelievable assertion that a blind man fakes his blindness rather than believe the fact that this “man Jesus” was the Messiah. Or at least the fact that God was working miracles through Jesus.   

This theme calls to mind a frequent refrain: A.B.C. That’s Anything But Catholicism. It’s a common refrain we hear when someone is “investigating” religions. When a person feels the need for religion in their life or already have a religion but want a better one, they will explore Buddhism or Witchcraft or even Scientology. Full disclosure, I do enjoy studying these kinds of religions, but I’m almost always left laughing or at least scratching my head thinking, “Are you kidding me?” “Who would believe this stuff? ”The antiphon refrain, “ABC” echoes in my mind. These I might call the “exotic” options to Catholicism. But ABC also plays its role in the more mainstream religious quest. Maybe it has even happened to you. It is common in the world of Protestant denominations to seek out a different church when the one you’re in isn’t “feeding you". A Methodist will easily become a Lutheran, or a Baptist will gladly become a Presbyterian if the preaching or music or fellowship is better there. It’s important to note that there is nothing “sacred” in the notion of “church” in these denominations. All the “church stuff” that you see, that is the buildings, the preacher, the music and even the fellowship are all natural, man made. So, if they’re man made, they can be man broken.     

This is why the question, “Who is this man Jesus?” in the Bible is very similar to the question, “What is the nature of the church?” for us. If you listen carefully to the stories of converts (The Coming Home Network on EWTN is a great place for such stories) you will often hear the refrain, “ABC”. When Scott Hahn told his wife Kimberly that he wanted to become Catholic, she fell right in line. She cried, “Oh Scott, couldn’t we at least become Anglican? ” 

Now don’t get me wrong. I love Anglicans. I love Baptists and Lutherans. But no denomination thinks that its origin comes directly from the mind and workings of Jesus Christ. Because I think Jesus is not only the Messiah but also the second person in the Most Holy Trinity, I can’t be satisfied with a man-made religion. I want what He wants even if it means certain sacrifices to my worldly lifestyle.