Who's the blind (wo)man now?

John 9:18-41 (NRSV)
I'm always amazed, when I read the story of the blind man who is healed by Jesus, at the inquisition conducted by the Jewish authorities. The man who is known to have been blind is healed, and it seems they want to find someone to blame, rather than rejoice that one who could not see now can.

And it is the blind man who sees, when those who see are blind. "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

How many of us think we can see and don't realize how blind we really are? Especially in these hard economic times, I wonder if it has something to do with a bit of deprivation. When you have everything, it's easier to ignore needs, concerns, and yes, even healings of blind men, right in front of your eyes. I suspect that those who are lacking in something, food, shelter, health insurance, job, security of any kind, are far more observant, for they have to be; they can take nothing for granted.

Who's the blind (wo)man now?