The Gospel according to Mark: 8:22-26
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “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. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
Reflection:
In today’s gospel, we hear that the community came together begging for help for someone in need. Christ, however, led the man out of the village, away from the crowd to heal him. In this personal encounter, between Christ and the blind man and away from the eyes of the crowd. Christ healed the man, but the healing did not happen instantly. It took time for the man’s sight to be restored and to see clearly again.
St. Mark’s detailed account of this miracle reveals how ours is a truly “hands-on” God. Christ took, led, smeared, laid on hands and questioned the blind man. His complete healing only came after a process which included the cooperation of the man himself. If ended with a warning to go straight home. God knows each of us, and our needs infinitely better than we do ourselves.
Action of the Day:
Do we see our times of prayer…our personal encounters with God- as opportunities for healing in our own lives? Like the blind man, we too, need to be patient, to trust that Christ will restore and heal us gradually.
- Who in our own communities needs the healing power of Christ?
- Can each of us take the necessary steps to bring a person to Christ?
- Are we praying for those who need the healing touch that only Christ can give?
We all need to take some time to notice how our prayer leads us to appreciate God’s light and consoling love… as we see how God opens our eyes gently, we must ask for the faith and the hope that is needed to continue to trust in Gods ever goodness and love for us all.
Audio Reflection:
