Blind men's determination to Follow Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

Advent Season : 1st Friday

GOSPEL Mt  9:27-31

First Reading - Is 29:17-24

Blind men's determination to Follow Jesus

Two blind men followed him

*1) When one is blind it is difficult to Follow*

When one is blind, it is clear that the person is not able to see anything. In such a situation it is very difficult to move from one place to the another.

The Gospel also does not say whether they were helped by some one or they followed Jesus by themselves.

This particular gesture of the blind men shows that they were determined to follow Jesus by all means. This is something marvelous

*2) The level of their determination*

From the episode one can conclude that they had a very high level of determination to follow Jesus. This can be proved from the following things. 

A) First of all they were not able to see, still they followed Jesus. 

B) They have not seen who Jesus is. Since they were blind there is no possibility of seeing Jesus. Still they believed in the power of Jesus and followed. 

C) They might have heard of Jesus, while others were speaking about the miracles performed by Jesus. So only hearing about Jesus, without knowing who the person is, and without seeing who Jesus is, still they were able to follow Jesus, shows their high level of determination to follow Jesus and to get cured from the blindness. 

D) It appears that Jesus didn't respond to their wish at once. The Gospel says that they cried and followed Jesus. They had to go inside the house, where Jesus was. Even then they were not disappointed at the first reaction of Jesus. This proves their determination

E) Finally they were healed because of their Faith. Jesus clearly says *Let it be done for you according to your faith*. Along with the power of Jesus their faith also was very important. This once again shows the high level of determination. 

G) The blind men had to travel a long distance before they were healed. The Gospel says, Jesus travelled and went inside a house. That means the blind men had to travel some distance, and they travelled without having the eye sight. Once again this gesture of the blind men shows their great level of determination to follow Jesus and to get cured. 

*3) It is not enough to have mere wish: Need to work for it*

The blind men had a great wish to have the eyesight 

Their genuine wish had a Strong level of determination to work for it. 

Their work consisted in,  knowing about the power of Jesus, following Jesus in spite of their blindness, crying out for the eyesight, going up to inside the house begging for the sight, and their examination by Jesus, because ultimately the healing comes based on their faith. So all these things show that they really worked for the miracle along with the deep desire to gain the sight 

So mere wish is not sufficient, but hard work towards the goal is also very much necessary.  

*4) Physical sight was absent, but they had deep spiritual sight and insight*

The blind men were not able to see Jesus and other realities around them physically, since they were blind. 

But no one can challenge their spiritual sight and insight to see Jesus, and experience Him and His divine power. 

Ultimately their spiritual sight and insight helps them to have the physical sight 

The spiritual sight and insight worked as a foundation for the physical sight. Something very strange, but very true. 

*5) Spiritual blindness is more dangerous than physical blindness*

Physical blindness may cause suffering for some years, maximum as long as the person lives. 

But spiritual blindness may cause suffering eternally. So spiritual blindness is more fatal and dangerous than the physical blindness. 

*6) How about my life?*

All of us who read this reflection have physical sight. If so what is the level of my determination to follow Jesus? 

What about my wish for something and the level of hard work for the same? Do I have only wish without any motivation for hardwork? 

Am I spiritually blind to observe many things within my life and in my surrounding? 

Am I able to see the suffering, and pain of others? Do I have the eye sight to see that? 

Do I have the eyesight to see beyond my own life, beyond my own family and my own culture, the wellbeing of the other? 

How sharp is my spiritual sight and insight? 

*How sharp is my eyesight to see the realities as they are?*

*Think about this*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*