“Lord, that I may see,” was the simple request of the blind man in today’s Gospel. This is a prayer needed more urgently than ever in our day, for nothing describes better than “blindness” the indifference to God of people in our days. Sin and the quest for wealth and power have blinded us to things of more importance and value than those we spend our lives seeking. Today, in our selfishness, we have become blind to the needs and sufferings of our neighbors, blind to the pain our actions and inaction cause others. Ultimately, we have become blind to God, and nothing can be worse than this. Like the blind man, we therefore need to call out to him who alone has the power to make us see again. Many voices and forces try to shut us up, but he will hear us still. May we pray with the blind man today, "Lord, that I may see."
Let us think of the courage, perseverance in prayer and faith, and the determination the blind man had as he insisted on calling for mercy from Jesus. Nothing indeed could stop him; nothing could get in his way of attaining his sight and being healed of the long torment of blindness. The crowds tried to stop him, perhaps because he was disturbing their peace and interrupting their conversation with Jesus, for it was common for a rabbi to teach as he walked with others, but he continued to cry out 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me'The blind man out of great faith was convinced and perceived that Jesus alone could cure his ailment. And indeed, these brought both physical and spiritual healing to him. When we pray to God, from what conviction does that cry come? Are we convinced that we are in need of healing? Are we precise and clear in our prayers like the blind man, "Lord, that I may, see?"
Jesus' response to the convicted faith of the blind man was a question. He already knew this man's heart, yet he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus desires us to ask as well. He wants to respect our freedom, but he wants to enter into the depth of our reality—sinful, needy, hungry, thirsty, ill, blind. The blind man stated what he wanted, and Jesus’ words were fulfilled: “Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.” The word, "save" can signify saving, healing, rescuing, delivering, or protecting. Faith won this man a more profound grace than physical sight. His response to the gift was to praise God. Let that be our response as well.
When Jesus have had mercy on us, when he has given us spiritual and physical sight to see everything according to how he sees it, let our response be of glorifying and praising God. The blindman after being healed, automatically recognizes that his life is meant to live only to praise and follow Jesus and that's what he did and our invitation too. Cyril of Alexandria, a 5th century church father, comments on this blind man:
"Now that he was delivered from his blindness, did he neglect the duty of loving Christ? He certainly did not. It says, "He followed him, offering him glory like to God. "He was set free from double blindness. Not only did he escape from the blindness of the body but also from that of the mind and heart. He would not have glorified him as God, had he not possessed spiritual vision. He became the means of others giving Christ glory, for it says that all the people gave glory to God.” (Commentary on Luke, Homily 126). This is an invitation for us to praise God and follow him always for he has done and is still going to do marvelous things in our lives.
Reflect today on the question of Jesus today. What are the things you want Jesus to do for you in your life? Tell them to him in prayer. Do you give glory to God for giving you the "eyes of faith" to recognize him as your Lord and Healer?
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may see and understand the truth and goodness of your word. As I respond to the question, 'What do you want me to do for you?' may I never fail to recognize your presence with me and to call upon your saving grace in my time of need and healing. Amen
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