The Gospel According to Mark 8:22-26
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up he replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on his 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: Jesus reveals to us that a little faith can lead to more faith. How important is this in our daily lives? The man, once he could see a little, clearly began to believe some more. Once his faith grew, Jesus laid hands on him again, bringing his healing to completion. What a great illustration for us! Some people may have complete faith in God in all things. If that is you, then you are truly blessed my friend. But for most of us, including myself, this passage is especially for those who have faith, but struggle nonetheless. To those who fall into this category, Jesus is offering much hope to each of us.
The action of healing the blind man twice in a row tells us that Jesus is patient, and merciful, and will take the little we have, and the little that we offer, and use it the best He can. He will work to transform our little faith so that we can then take another step closer to God and grow in our faith. The same could be said for sin.
Sometimes we have imperfect sorrow for sin and sometimes we sin and have no sorrow for it, even though we know it’s wrong. If that is you, then try to take at least one small step forward toward the healing of forgiveness. Try, at the very least, to desire that you will grow in a desire to be sorry. That may be the bare minimum, but Jesus will work with what we give Him.
Action of the Day: Reflect, today, upon this blind man. Ponder this twofold healing and conversion the man undergoes. Know that this is you (and me) and that Jesus wants to take you one step further into your faith and in your repentance of sin.
Audio Reflection:
