“His sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“His sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.”

Gospel Reading: 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."

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus heals a blind man. The blind man is not cured instantly, but in stages. The people lead the blind man to Jesus and ask that Jesus touch him so he can be healed. The reading says that Jesus took him by the hand and led him. Due to the faith of the people, the blind man was partially healed. But it was not until the blind man began to witness the power of God that he was fully cured. Jesus touched him a second time and his eyes were fully opened. We too have the power to bring people to Christ. Through our own faith, we can lead the spiritually blind to Christ. Through our own desires and our actions, we can begin to open their eyes. But for their eyes to be fully open, they must submit to God. The blind person in this story had to first put his faith in the hands of the people to be led to Christ and once he was in front of Christ, he had to take Christ’s hand. This action demonstrates the power of the church. We are the body and Christ is the head. It takes the whole church to heal the sinner.

We are currently on a journey towards lent; a forty day period of conversion. We begin lent by having ashes smeared on our forehead. The ashes are like the spittle that was placed on the eyes of the blind man. During the following 40 days we are called to pray, fast and give alms as repentance and forgiveness in preparation for Easter. During this period we are to go through a spiritual cleansing so we can die to our earthly sins and be resurrected in the glory God. Lent is the Oxy Clean of the church season. If we truly submit to the power of lent, the sins which keep us from heaven will be removed. Take Christ’s hand and allow him to lead you through this period. You have one week to prepare for lent. Spend this week in meditation to discern what acts of pray and fasting God is calling you to do. It takes time to prepare for a journey like lent. You need to begin the preparation now and not wait until next Tuesday.

A Simple Prayer

Christ, your people have brought me to your door step.

Take my hand and lead me, wash my eyes so I may see you.

Open my heart so I can grow in your love and compassion.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon