15 February 2023 – Mark 8:22-26
The miracle reported in today’s Gospel page, at first glance seems to be a simple story of the healing of a blind man but, as in most of the miracles reported by Mark, it has a profound symbolic meaning.
This event, described at this point in the Gospel, can be seen as a parable about the gradual opening of the eyes of the disciples who begin to understand who Jesus really is.
A blind man is brought to Jesus so
that with his touch he can heal him. (How much of our touch is healing – or are we afraid of physical touch?) Jesus takes the man aside, away from the crowd, puts saliva on the man’s eyes and asks, “Do you see anything?” The man, who begins to see, says he can see people, but they are like walking trees. Jesus again lays his hands on the man’s eyes who can now see everything clearly and distinctly. Jesus tells him to go straight home, not through the village because he does not want misplaced sensationalism about who he is. The truth about this will be revealed very soon. This miracle clearly relates to other events that have just occurred: the blindness of the Pharisees unable to recognise the power of God in Jesus’ words and deeds; and the blindness of his own disciples when he asked them in the boat – ‘Can you not see? Can you not hear? Do you not understand?”
The healing occurs at two different times, which means that it will take time for the blind man, after years of blindness, to learn again to see the world not only with his eyes, but also with his heart. It is no coincidence that the blind man initially sees only partially: “I see people, because I see like walking trees”. The shapes are also confused because the blind man is not yet ready to face reality. In fact, if people were like trees, they would not be a danger to him; on the contrary, trees would offer shelter, foothold and security. That is why another laying on of hands is necessary for Jesus to enable the blind man to overcome this mistaken view of the world.
Jesus is the one who restores to those who have been irreparably wounded, a new life with his protection and his touch.
Jesus is the one who touches your pain brother, sister, and does so with the same love of a mother towards her child. The intensity of his love allows your eyes to open, to come out of the darkness of your loneliness, out of the darkness of your fears, and to direct your gaze towards the neighbour with whom you can share your life, your story, your faith, with whom you can be in solidarity, a companion, and walk your path no longer alone.
The touch of Jesus allows you to live in a new perspective, in a reality where the other, the other is no longer a threat, a danger, an obstacle to overcome, but an opportunity to share God’s love.
For good workers…
This miracle teaches us that we can live well if only we allow Jesus’ hands to touch our eyes. Jesus is the light that illuminates our darkness, he is the end of fear of the world and of others.
P JOBY KAVUNGAL RCJ