That account of the disciples’ spiritual blindness is
immediately followed by the passage we read today—that of a miraculous healing
of a blind man. It is as if St. Mark is saying that if you find yourself
sympathizing with the disciples, unable to see Jesus for who he really is,
Jesus is willing to heal you, he wants to heal you.
The healing of the blindman at Bethsaida is unique among
the miracles recorded in the Gospels, because this healing is gradual. After
laying his hands on the man the first time, the man only achieved a partial
recovery. He couldn’t tell the difference between people and trees. It’s only
after the second time that Jesus touches the man that his sight is restored.
The man’s gradual recovery symbolizes the slow and often difficult process in Mark’s Gospel of opening the disciples’ eyes to understanding Jesus’ identity and mission--like the gradual receding of the waters after the flood in our first reading.
Spiritual blindness is often overcome in stages. Faith is
gained gradually. A person who has wandered in darkness their whole life often
can’t withstand a full blast of divine light. A person lost in the labyrinth of
atheism or religious apathy might only come to Christ gradually, through
gradual doses of Gospel truth. For this reason, we must be very patient with
unbelievers—because they may be in a very fragile stage of that gradual healing
of their spiritual vision.
All too often Christians give up on evangelizing because we
don’t see immediate results. But what does today’s Gospel teach us. Not even
Jesus always got immediate results. Healing often takes time. Seeing the seed
of truth flourish into a tree of faith takes many waterings and lots of prayer.
St. Paul acknowledges that true sight may only be recovered in eternity. “At
present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present
I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.”
So too with our own sins. Some sins are only overcome
through multiple encounters with God’s mercy—where we allow the light of God to
penetrate more and more deeply into our souls, our psyches, our wounds, our
hardness of heart.
Patience is needed in the spiritual life for ourselves
and for others. But as our sight is gradually restored, we see Christ more
clearly, we begin to see ourselves and our neighbor more clearly, how God sees
us, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Trusting in the Lord who gradually opens and heals our
hearts, let us offer our prayers for ourselves and for the world.
For the Church: That all believers may grow in the
knowledge of Christ each day, overcoming spiritual blindness through persistent
prayer, study of the Gospel, and acts of charity.
For all who struggle to recognize Jesus as Lord: That
they may receive the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, and that our patient
witness will help their faith grow in God’s time.
For those who evangelize or serve as missionaries: That
they may remain steadfast when results seem slow, or when they endure suffering
in Jesus’ name.
For the sick, the lonely, and those in need: that they
may be open to the healing and strength that comes from a relationship of deep
faith in God. And we pray in a special way for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in
this time of serious illness.
For our deceased loved ones: That they may behold the
Lord fully in the eternal light of heaven, seeing Him face to face and
rejoicing in His presence.
Presider: Heavenly Father, you heal our blindness and
open our eyes to your truth, often in gradual and gentle ways. Hear these
prayers we bring before you and grant us the patience and perseverance we need
to deepen our faith in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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