FRIDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Jesus was a Healer of the Infirm

They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw every thing clearly. Mark 8: 22-25

Until last week, there was a large box outside the sanctuary. We encouraged our members to put used coats into that box, coats that would be distributed to students at Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School whose families could not afford a warm coat for the winter. From time to time, we’ve all seen places in our building that invite us to a special kind of giving---angels on the angel tree, a place for cellphone recycling and for shoes, baskets for non-perishable food items for Network, and a collection box for used eyeglasses. Glasses are something I take most for granted, and it is a source of amazement to me that they can be so wonderfully reused to help people to see.

Jesus was not automatically successful in restoring the sight of the blind man. When he was asked what he saw after Jesus first laid hands on him, he responded that he saw people, but they looked like walking trees. Anyone who has had to wear corrective lenses has some idea of what this is like. A second touch from Jesus, and the man was able to see clearly.

In the gospel of Mark, the common folk of the land (unlike most of us) do not recognize Jesus primarily as a teacher. He is a healer. He comes from the backwater town of Nazareth with a very uncommon touch---the ability to restore people to health.

As disciples of a Lord who is known as a healer, how can we reflect that aspect of his Lordship in our present place and time?

Jesus of Nazareth, guide our hands in your healing way.