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.”
REFLECTION
“Do you see anything?”
Friends brought in the blind man so that Jesus would touch him. This healing miracle, however, took place in two stages. Why would that be? Had the blind man requested help? Was his faith present or even weak or lukewarm? He knew what trees looked like, therefore, he had been able to see prior to going blind. Perhaps he had seen many doctors, tried all sorts of remedies and had given himself up for lost. We don't know. But we can imagine what life was for him. With compassion in their friend's plight and trust in Jesus, they begged Jesus to touch him.
With healing there always are physical and spiritual benefits. When we pray, many times we give the orders to Jesus, what we want, how we want it and tell Jesus how to give to us. Jesus surprises us because our plans are not His.
Affectionately He takes his hand, gradually lets the blind man see with more and more clarity, to the point that it becomes clearer to him what Jesus is doing in his life. The splendor of God's creation was before him--he could see distinctly every leaf, every flower, every color so clearly and with definition.
Thank you, God, for your response to our daily needs, helping us physically but also spiritually, so that with our ever growing faith we receive new sight.
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