Jesus miraculously restores sight to two blind men. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by seeking the Gift of Knowledge from the Holy Spirit so he can turn away from the darkness of sin and vice and by pursuing the Virtue of Truth so he can joyous live in the light of Truth.
Liturgy
1st Week of Advent – Friday – Mt 9:27-31
Commentary
Following the summary of His Gospel in the comprehensive Sermon on the Mount, Jesus descended from the mountain and began to teach and heal. After raising a young girl from the dead and healing a woman with a hemorrhage, Jesus encounters two blind men. Being blind was particularly difficult in those days, for the blind had little option but to beg for alms (meaning, “pity or mercy”), monies given by Jews to their poor and destitute.
The blind men cry out to Jesus for mercy, calling Him, the Son of David, a reference to the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus passes them without a word, and enters a house. Persistent, the blind men follow Jesus into the house. Jesus, knowing the men are seeking to be miraculously healed and not asking for money, first tests the men’s faith, asking, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Confirming their belief that He is the Messiah, they say, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus simply touches their eyes, and they gain sight; He credits the gift of healing to the blind men’s faith.
Jesus sternly commands the men not to reveal that He has healed them, knowing many mistakenly believe the Messiah to be a political leader who would overthrow the Roman occupation; Jesus seeks to avoid confrontation with the Jewish and Roman leaders until the time of His choosing. Overwhelmed, the men can’t help but speak about their miraculous healing by Jesus that has so radically changed their lives; word of Jesus spreads throughout the area.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be astounded by Jesus as He heals the two blind men: Son of God, Jesus exudes a powerful Charisma which influences even those who are blind; Son of David, Jesus is recognized as the long awaited Lord and Messiah; Divine King and Leader, Jesus Tests the men’s faith by first ignoring the blind men, making them explicitly make a statement of faith, and then Sternly Commands the men to not make their healing known; Divine Power and Knowledge, Jesus knows how to restore sight and has the astounding power to heal broken eyes with the simple touch of His hand; Divine Priest, Jesus prefigures the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick by touching and healing the blind men.
Turn from the darkness of sin and vice
Realize: There is a great and darkening evil in the world, widespread evil which blinds men and is leading them to commit evil acts and fall into the dark habits of vice: pride, gluttony, sloth, wrath, envy, greed and lust (fornication, pornography and masturbation are very common mortal sins in these days of darkness).
Believe: Reflect upon the need to Turn Away from Darkness (CCC 1866, 457, 588, 1691, 1707).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Knowledge so I can better recognize the darkness of sin and vice in my life, repent, I strive to be guided by the knowledge of right and wrong in every situation, and I draw ever closer to You in my daily life.
Joyously live in the Light of Truth
Realize: Advent is a time of mysterious power in the Holy Catholic Church as the Body of Christ anticipates the Truth Himself coming into a world which is desperately lost in the darkness of sin and vice.
Believe: Reflect upon Living in the Truth of Christ (CCC 2465-2470).
Pray: Jesus Christ, Light of the World and Divine Truth, help me build the Virtue of Truth (a part of Justice) so I zealously seek to know Your Truth and joyously strive to live in imitation of You each day.