GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 2ND DECEMBER 2016
FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
1ST READING: Isaiah 29:17-24
PSALM: Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 9:27-31
THEME: OPEN MY EYES LORD
The greatest tragedy in life is not to be physically blind but to have two good eyes and yet unable to move on in life.
Jesus had raised the daughter of an official of the synagogue back to life (cf. Mt. 9:18-19, 23-26). The news of this miracle spread like bush fire (cf. Mt. 9:26). Though not stated categorically in our Gospel text, we can infer that the two blind men got wind of this news that had spread all over the countryside. Consequently, they took a step of faith and purposed in their hearts to also experience the healing touch of Jesus. Their hopes became a reality; they regained their sight.
The healing of the two blind men in today’s Gospel text sets the tone for the healing of any kind of spiritual blindness during this season of Advent. To be set free from spiritual blindness is crucial for one’s salvation. This is because an inability to see the opened doors of opportunities in one’s personal world would mean remaining in darkness throughout one’s life.
A critical look at the encounter between Jesus and the blind men reveals three important steps in being set free from our spiritual blindness.
First of all, these two blind men did not wait to see before following Jesus. They followed him in order to see (cf. Mt. 9:27). In the same manner, we should not wait until everything is alright with us before we make a decision to follow Jesus. In fact, we need Jesus most when things are not alright with us.
Secondly, the blind men cried out to him (cf. Mt. 9:27). They did not just speak to Jesus, they cried out. There are moments in life when it is not enough to “say” a prayer, one must “cry” a prayer. Even in the person of Jesus, there were moments, during his earthly life, that he had to “cry” a prayer (cf. Heb. 5:7-8; Lk. 22:44).
Thirdly, the blind men believed and they saw. There is a secular saying that goes like this: “Seeing is believing”. However, in the realm of faith, “believing is seeing”. Faith in Jesus makes all things possible.
The prophet Isaiah echoes the promise of the Lord to open our eyes when he writes, “On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a scroll, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see” (Isa 29:18).
Let everyone who has become stagnant in life turn to Jesus and cry out “Son of David, have pity on us.” He will open your eyes. Yes, he will set you free.
PRAYER: Open my eyes Lord Jesus, I long to see you; I desire to reach out and touch you, and to tell you that I love you. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).