I never studied this stuff, so the genius of your intuitive explanation is appreciated.

My intuitive response to your intuitive explanation: This ball is moving through spacetime relative to the earth, which is in turn also moving through spacetime relative to the sun - and so light is being deflected off of this ball at each point in its position in spacetime relative to the sun for much longer than light is being deflected off of this ball at each point in its position in spacetime relative to the earth - have I got that right?

Light is a hitman Perpetual driveby shooter Never missing As we dance through the night