Sunday Dive

Episode 024: Baptism and the Man Born Blind (Mass Readings for Mar. 22, 2020)

Episode Summary

In this episode we discuss the healing of the man blind from birth. We’ll talk about how John’s Gospel is the “Sacramental Gospel” since it links Jesus’ miracles with the seven sacraments and we’ll take a look at how this story of the man born blind foreshadows the gift of Baptism. We’ll also situate the story in the broader context of John’s Gospel as we see tensions rise the closer Jesus gets to Holy Week.

Episode Notes

Bibliography/Resources

• The Gospel of John (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture Series)
• Shanks, Hershel. “The Siloam Pool,” Biblical Archaeology Review 31, no. 5 (2005): 16, 18–23.
• Verbum Bible Software - www.verbum.com

References

• Making clay fell into the category of "kneading" which was forbidden on the Sabbath (cf. Mishnah Shabbat 7.2; The Gospel of John [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 176)
• Genesis 2:7 - "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."