2nd
scrutiny rites healing of the blind man
Jesus said
that he came 'to open the eyes of the blind'. He wasn't talking about the
physically blind only, but all those who had lost their way in life and who
could no longer find their way to the Father's house. Thus he opened the eyes
of Zacchaeus to the danger of riches. He opened the eyes of Mary Magdalen to
the wretchedness of her life. He opened the eyes of the dying thief to the
light of God's mercy. All of these found their way into the Kingdom of God,
while the Pharisees stumbled along in the dark.
Without
faith we are in deep night and do not know where we are going. Faith helps us
to see in the dark. The one who guides us unerringly along the dark paths of
life is Christ. We put our total trust in him who said: 'Those who follow me
will never walk in darkness but will always have the light of life'. Those who
have been enlightened by Christ can never again see themselves and their lives
in the same light as before. Everything is lit up with an inner radiance.
In a sense
we are all born blind. As we go through life our eyes are gradually opened to
the vision of truth. We need not be afraid to own our many forms of blindness.
Christ will touch our eyes with his gentle hands and gradually open them until
we are able to see as he sees. We are not alone. We are members of a community
on which Christ has shed his light. We must support one another. We are also
called to act as guides to others who have not yet seen the light of Christ.
`You will be
very poor until you realise that it is not with your eyes open that you see the
clearest'. (Helder Camara)
Fr. Phil
