September 6

Sight to the Blind

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me. — Mark 14:7 BSB

There’s a story about the Empress of Austria riding in her carriage when she saw a blind woman near a cliff, unaware she was in danger. The Empress rushed to her and saved her just in time. It was an admirable act, but there’s an even more beautiful one. The King of Glory sees a blind beggar sitting in darkness, and He comes to open his eyes.

In this story of the blind man, we see how Christ works. Jesus saw him and was moved by compassion. In the same way, when Christ sees a sinner, His heart is touched. Jesus came to the blind man unasked and brought healing unsought. He touched the man’s eyes, bringing His own light into the darkness. Just as Christ came to us in His incarnation, He brings light and salvation to every blind soul that believes in Him.

Christ also used means in healing the blind man. He made clay, anointed the man’s eyes, and told him to wash. Similarly, Christ uses means to open our spiritual eyes — His Word, the sacraments, and the love of others.

The blind man was also given something to do. He had to obey Jesus’ command to wash. In the same way, Christ calls us to believe, to confess Him, and to serve Him. This story of the blind man shows how Christ opens the eyes of the spiritually blind and brings them into His light.