I was at a friend's house, and his young son was doing a school project on a topic I happen to know something about. I offered my assistance, and at first the son seemed to welcome any help he could get. But every time I tried to tell him something new he interrupted by saying, "I know, I know." He said it even when it was clear he didn't know quite as much as he thought he did.

Jesus ran into that same attitude with the Pharisees, who were quite upset when Jesus gave a blind man sight. This miracle didn't jibe with what they already "knew" about how God works in the world. And so, rather than learning something new about God—that he longs for our healing and wholeness—they closed their minds and, in effect, kept saying, "I know, I know!" They were sure the man's blindness had been caused by sin, yet they were unwilling to consider that their own spiritual blindness might be a result of their own sin of pride.

Spiritual growth requires that we employ what Zen practitioners call "beginner's mind." This is the attitude that is aware of its limitations and open to new truths and surprises. Lent is a good time to cultivate beginner's mind. It's a time to see ourselves and the world not with our own prejudices but as God sees—as worthy of help and healing and love.

-Tom McGrath