Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Yesterday, I went to the eye doctor. In the office they asked if I had gone to any other eye doctors. Apparently, I had not been there in four years. When the doctor asked why I came in, I told her my eye sight had gotten worse. After my examination, she looked at my glasses and noticed that there were a number of scratches that might account for what appeared to be changed vision. Some of the smaller scratches my eye had compensated for, while the bigger ones were getting in the way of my being able to see clearly.
Certainly, seeing clearly was the last thing on the mind of the beggar at the gate. Peter asked the man, crippled from birth, to look at him. He was probably hoping for his usual handout, so he looked up. Instead,Peter offered him healing. The healing was both spiritual and physical. Upon being healed the man leapt for joy and praised God. The miracle coupled with the joyful response filled many with amazement. What fills our eyes, our hearts with amazement? Who has taught you to see with eyes and heart ready to be amazed?
Does that amazement have much depth? Consider how the two walking to Emmaus had been astounded at the news of an empty tomb. Yet here they were walking home, downcast, because him they did not see. When you are downcast, your eyes are usually facing the ground. Your eyes may even have tears in them that may make it hard to see. And when your heart is broken or your eyes are transfixed on something else it is hard to see what is really there. Perhaps even the story we have told ourselves only allows us to see reality a certain way. In telling the story of salvation history, Jesus reminds these forlorn travelers that they need to look at the story in a new way. This new story along with the ritual of the breaking of the bread set their hearts on fire.
Lord, we often fail to recognize you walking in our midst because our eyes are prevented from seeing you. Create in us openness so that our hearts and minds will be ready to be in communion with you both now and for eternity. Amen. Alleluia!
-Michael Montgomery