And their Eyes were Opened"

Today's Mass Readings

In today’s reading from the Gospel, we see Jesus enacting in His very actions what was prophesied of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Indeed, we even find Jesus identified with the Messianic title, “Son of David.” In this passage, Jesus heals two blind men. Such healings was one of the qualities that was expected in the Messiah. Notice too how Jesus links the healings with the act of faith. He explains, “Let it be done to you according to your faith.” These blind men recognized Who Jesus was despite their physical blindness. In many ways these two blind men had better sight than those around Jesus who were not physically blind. This is a symbol of the important role faith plays in our salvation, not simply in physical healing.

What might strike us as especially odd is that Jesus proceeds to tell these two men whom He healed to not tell anyone about their healing. One reason this might appear odd is because these two men were blind, and anyone who knows them will know they have been blind, so it will be very difficult for them to explain their newfound sight without telling others about Jesus. The other reason this statement of Jesus’ might strike us as odd is because it does not explain why Jesus does not want others to know what He did. Why would Jesus want to keep this a secret? Many Jews of Jesus’ day expected the Messiah to be a royal military leader who would free them from Roman rule through a violent revolutionary assault on the Roman Empire. This was not the kind of Messiah Jesus was to be. Rather, Jesus was a suffering Messiah, Who would die at the hands of the Romans. In the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we sometimes see Jesus telling others to be silent about His identity or His actions. This is because He did not want people to get the wrong idea about His role and about Who He was. He would reveal Himself as the Messiah, but on His own terms, and in His own manner, which was consistent with the Old Testament passages concerning the Messiah.

When we approach a passage like the Gospel reading for today, we should look for ways that it may challenge us in our own lives. I think this passage can challenge us to open our own eyes to see Who God really is, and what He is doing in our lives. Let us not be blind to God Who is constantly acting in our lives. Rather, let us have the spiritual eyes that these two men had, so that, even were we physically blind, like them, we would still be able to see and recognize Jesus when He comes.

Questions for reflection: Is there one particular area where Jesus wants us to let His light in? Would we allow Him to bring his salvation in that area? What does it mean for me to let Jesus open my eyes?

- Jeff Morrow