St. Augustine taught that the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old is revealed in the New. We see this presented in the first reading as well as in the Gospel. We read how “the deaf shall hear” and “out of the gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see” (Isaiah 29:18). Then we read how Jesus healed the blind men who call out to him believing that he is indeed the Son of David, the messiah, the anointed one (Matthew 9:27-31).
Jesus acknowledged that their faith was a catalyst in healing them but he also pointed out covertly that they were still in need of spiritual healing. Yes, they could now physically see, but they, like the apostles and others who hoped for the messiah, were looking for their idea of a messiah that is like David, a political and military leader that will lead a revolution to overthrow the occupying power of Rome.
Jesus told them clearly not to tell anyone what had happened, because he was not about to promote a cult of personality, nor have them portray him in a false way. Yet, share they did. They shared their encounter with Jesus with great joy.
Though we may have eyes to see and ears to hear, we too can be spiritually blind to who Jesus truly is. Jesus came into the world just over two thousand years ago as, God’s Son and visible reality of God who is love. Jesus calls us to be conformed to this same love. If we see ourselves and each other with the eyes of our fallen nature, from the perspective of our past wounds, and our present day reactions, we are going to miss the mark.
The saints are those who followed Jesus in each generation from the apostles to our own. They were willing to be transformed by the fire of his love. They encountered Jesus, had faith in him, believed, and put into practice what they learned. Just as something like scales fell from the eyes of St. Paul so that he could see anew, we too can see with the eyes of faith.
Let us pray together:
Jesus, this Advent, help me to choose to walk out from the gloom and darkness of anxiety, fear, and insecurity, and place my trust in your revealing light that I may walk with confidence on your path of love. Free me from any sins, distractions, and diversions such that I may experience the closeness you know with your Father. Please help me to place my trust in you, and please heal my blindness so that I can see more clearly, reject the lies that lead me astray, and see the path that leads to the way, the truth, and the life.
——————————–
Photo: Walking back after holy hour Wednesday night, sight of the super moon.
Spiritual Stepping Stones