Friday, December 5, 2025

 

Friday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 8:27-31)

Jesus’ fulfillment of the Isaian prophecy is easily seen today.  In the first reading Isaiah predicts that in “a very little while ... the eyes of the blind shall see.”  In the gospel Jesus gives sight to the two blind men who put their faith in him.  The blind men call Jesus “’Son of David’” because they see him as the long-awaited eternal king of Israel.

Jesus prompts their confession of faith with his question, “’Do you believe that I can do this (make the blind see).’”  The question and response indicate that faith not only leads to sight but is itself a way of seeing.  Followers of Jesus believing that he will give them eternal life also have this mysterious way of seeing.

The sight of faith discerns that the self or ego is not what is ultimately important.  My strength will eventually wither as will my intelligence and any moral capacity I have.  It further shows that I can depend on Jesus, physically through the Church and spiritually through the infinite means at his disposal.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

 Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:19-27; Mark 8:22-26)

Both readings today compare faith to sight.  In the first reading a person looks in a mirror, goes away and forgets what she saw.  With faith she would have seen herself as an image of Christ. Remembering what she looked like, she would have acted like Christ.  That is, she would have treated every person she met with due love.

In the gospel the blind man comes to see in two stages.  At the first stage, he sees people as walking trees.  That is, he sees them as objects to be exploited at will.  When he achieves full sight, which is faith, he sees people differently.  He recognizes everyone as a child of God and, again, respects him or her accordingly.

Faith is a full way of seeing.  When we believe in Christ as Lord, we know that he is there to help us.  We can treat others with compassion as he did.  More than that, faith assures that Christ sees us.  He will favor us for our every good action.