Meditation Minute

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 must allow Christ to lead them. They must be willing to allow the will of God to act in their lives. 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. If we are the body and Christ is the head, it takes the whole church to heal the sinner. When we ask for forgiveness, we ask everyone to forgive us. When we ask to be healed, we must ask everyone to pray for us. Not only the people on the earth, but all the angels and saints. Take Christ’s hand and allow him to lead you, allow him to open your eyes to the glory of God. You may only see stick figures at first, but the more you come into the light, the more you will see.

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