The gospel gives us an idea of
two kinds of blindness – one is physical, the other is spiritual. The man whom Jesus
encountered on the road was physically blind; his incapacity to see the
physical world was inborn. While the Pharisees who questioned Jesus’ healing
ministry on a Sabbath were spiritually blind; they were able to see the letters
of the law, but they couldn’t see the serious need of a person and the salvific
nature of Jesus’ action.
Physical and spiritual blindness
are both deprivations. On the one hand, physical sight is essential to
appreciate the beauty of the corporeal world. It is also an important faculty
to find our way to things, people and places. Without physical sight, we can
hardly reach destinations. On the other hand, spiritual sight is necessary to
understand the deeper meanings of life, the interior splendor of people, and
the invisible movements of the Spirit. It is likewise an essential faculty to find
our way to heaven or to God, who is our ultimate destination.
Few people are physically blind,
but many of us have some degree of spiritual blindness. Sometimes, for example,
we fail to see the needs of people around us. What we usually see are our personal
and domestic necessities, but not the needs of poor neighbors. Sometimes also
we fail to recognize the goodness in people. We are quick to notice weaknesses
and inadequacies of individuals, but not their strengths and gifts. Moreover,
we easily observe the faults and failures of other people, but we do not easily
acknowledge our own mistakes and sins.
However, the most serious kind
of spiritual blindness is the inability to notice the silent works of God. How
conscious are we of the Divine presence in our lives? Regularly, without us
knowing it, God supports, protects and nourishes us with material and spiritual
blessings such as food, water, air, comfort, joy, work, recreation, business,
family and friends. How often do we fail to count these blessings? Instead of
seeing graces, we normally see misfortunes. Instead of counting blessings, we
often count misgivings. When we fail to appreciate God’s gifts, we would not be
able to give Him thanks.
As we move through the season of
Lent, let us humbly ask the Lord Jesus to increase our ability to see and
acknowledge our sinful thoughts, desires and actions so that we will come to
follow Him more closely on the road to Easter.
John Newton was a slave
trader in the 18th century. There was a violent storm at sea that
tossed his slave ship like a matchstick. Newton was terrified, and he cried out
to God, “If you stop this storm, see me safely home, I promise to cease
slave-trading, and to become your slave.” The ship survived, and Newton kept
his promise. He became a minister of the gospel, and it was he who later wrote
the hymn Amazing Grace.
Amazing Grace, how sweet
the sound
That saved a wretch like
me!
I once was lost, but now
am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
(The story of
Newton is from 150 More Stories for Preachers and Teachers by Jack McArdle)
