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See Clearly
“Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
When people are going through very difficult times, it can be difficult for them to see things as they really are. The brokenness of life can blur the deep reality that we are always in the presence of God. The pain and suffering that life can sometimes cause us to experience can be really blinding to goodness.
For example, if we have been hurt by selfishness, it can be difficult for us to believe that people can be generous. If we have been deeply harmed by someone, it can be difficult for us to observe the goodness in human beings. When it seems people only think about themselves, and as such treat other people quite badly, it can be difficult for us to accept that there are people who pour themselves out in service to others.
But in today’s gospel we can be filled with hope as the blind man seeks to regain his sight. It is quite amazing that one who was blind can now use his sight. How amazing it must have been for him!
Just as it took the blind man a while to fully regain his sight, the same can be true for us to have the sight that we use with the eyes of faith. We can find difficult events keep us from seeing clearly the action and love of God in the world. The healing of the blind man began when others brought the man to Jesus.
For us too, the gift of the communities we belong to can also be such they bring us to Jesus also. In fact, it is probably a good question to ask of any group we belong to in life. Does the community of people I surround myself with bring me closer to Jesus, or does it take me farther away from Jesus?
Also, is it the case that I wish God to come into my life only in the way I expect? Or do I continually ask God to prove Himself? Or is it the case that I can accept God for who God is? The Pharisees request a sign, not because they have faith, but because they do not. They are looking only for a sign that would confirm their belief of what a Messiah should be.
We need to avoid this trap. We do not ask God to fit into our image but seek to recognize more fully that God is God, far beyond our ability to comprehend fully. We need God’s wisdom. To acquire the wisdom of God so that we can view the world through the eyes of God, and live more fully in his love, we need to ask Jesus to come more fully into our lives and to open our eyes.
On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update.
