TUESDAY, August 2

Mark 8:22-33. His sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

At the age of ten I was prescribed glasses. Putting them on for the first time was a revelation. I could read the blackboard clearly. Stars were separate points of light and not a blur. To see everything clearly is to look at the world with new vision. It is literally eye-opening.

The blind man in Bethsaida met Jesus and his eyes were opened. He could see the world afresh with the vision that Jesus had restored to him. This was more than just the healing of physical blindness. He had met Jesus and was given new vision.

To come to know Jesus is to be given new vision. It’s to come to know the truth which sets us free, to understand things for the first time. But this is not for our sake only. Jesus gives us the gift of being able to look at the world with his eyes. Like Jesus, we are called to look out with love to see the goodness in all that God has made and to bring others to this vision, so that they too may see.

Teach me, my God and King,

In all things thee to see,

And what I do in anything,

o do it all for thee.

--George Herbert

The Hymnal 1982, #592

PRAY for the Diocese of Quincy (Province V, USA)

Ps 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Acts 18:12-28

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heal our blindness

Aug 02, 2011 at 4:52 pm

Written by Sam,

I was prescribed glasses for my myopia at age 11, but because I grew up in a culture that relentlessly teased one as ‘four-eyed boo-boo” back in the 60s, I was not very enthusiastic about wearing them even though the glasses were a big help to my ability to read the blackboards in classes. Fast forward to the late 90s, when I gained new ‘vision’ courtesy of the ultimate optometrist, through ardent participation in Christian Education, and I have not looked back since (pun intended). Accordingly, I wholeheartedly endorse the writer’s sentiment that “Like Jesus, we are called to look out with love to see the goodness in all that God has made and to bring others to this vision, so that they too may see.” I would underscore the words “look out with love” and “see the goodness in all that God has made” because they succinctly express the prism through which I want to see all issues, religious or secular. If I cannot look out with love, and refuse to find goodness in all God’s creation, I am falling short of my calling. Much appreciate the reminder.

The Rev'd Canon Timothy M., Priest retired

Aug 02, 2011 at 11:34 pm

Written by Nakayama,

I received glasses when I was in 2nd grade, thanks to an observant teacher who told me that I should have my eyes examined! I will be 80 years in Oct. 2011, and have had glasses, therefore from a very early age!

thanks

Aug 03, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Written by Christopher John SSF,

Thanks for your comments. I was just reflecting further to when I wore contact lenses and how amazing it was that everything was clear in all directions and I could walk in the rain or into a steamy room without getting fogged up. There might be more theology there too! But seriously I do find it very instructional to ask myself "how do I give back to God what I have received". So then - to look back at others with that same love with which God looks at me. There's a very Franciscan idea behind this - expressed as "sine proprio" - without ownership - without appropriation - without clinging to things. This is so much more than just the challenge of how to live with material things.

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