Daily Retreat 02/18/09
2009 Feb 18 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
Gn 8: 6-13/ Ps 115(116): 12-13. 14-15. 18-19 / Mk 8: 22-26
From today’s readings: “At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch he had made in the ark.... To You, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.... When Jesus and His disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to Him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.”
See What I Mean?
All the miracles of Jesus were worked, not just for those who clearly benefitted most directly from those miracles, but also for all of us who would hear of the miracles, and reflect on their significance.
Consider, for instance, the blind man of Bethsaida, who was cured by Jesus in stages. For, after Jesus put spittle on his eyes and touched them, the man started to see, but his sight was still muddled, for, as he said, “I see men like walking trees!” But then, when Jesus set His healing hands on the man’s eyes a second time, the man was able to see clearly.
Why wasn’t the man’s sight restored fully at first? Certainly, it was not the case that Jesus failed to do a full job of healing the first time! Although not mentioned explicitly, it is possible that the gradual healing reflected the man’s own gradual illumination by the light of faith. Another enlightening interpretation recognizes this miracle as a lesson for all disciples of Christ, for even after the Lord has begun to make us partially see some essential points, we still need the humble patience to allow Him to help us see what He wants us to see ever more clearly.
Gn 8: 6-13/ Ps 115(116): 12-13. 14-15. 18-19 / Mk 8: 22-26
From today’s readings: “At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch he had made in the ark.... To You, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.... When Jesus and His disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to Him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.”
See What I Mean?
All the miracles of Jesus were worked, not just for those who clearly benefitted most directly from those miracles, but also for all of us who would hear of the miracles, and reflect on their significance.
Consider, for instance, the blind man of Bethsaida, who was cured by Jesus in stages. For, after Jesus put spittle on his eyes and touched them, the man started to see, but his sight was still muddled, for, as he said, “I see men like walking trees!” But then, when Jesus set His healing hands on the man’s eyes a second time, the man was able to see clearly.
Why wasn’t the man’s sight restored fully at first? Certainly, it was not the case that Jesus failed to do a full job of healing the first time! Although not mentioned explicitly, it is possible that the gradual healing reflected the man’s own gradual illumination by the light of faith. Another enlightening interpretation recognizes this miracle as a lesson for all disciples of Christ, for even after the Lord has begun to make us partially see some essential points, we still need the humble patience to allow Him to help us see what He wants us to see ever more clearly.
posted by FrPitstick | 2/16/2009
<< Home