I recently met a man so full of himself. He revels in his talent and shares them generously. But he gives me the impression that he feels the world owes him the acclamation and adulation he thinks he richly deserves. Like, the world would stop just to listen to his words and wisdom. I used to be so full of myself too. I guess I saw a bit of my old self in this person. And there are surely some people who would still know me as someone so full of myself. I was blind then but now I see.
We recently feted a great man who has just retired after many years of service in the vineyard of the Lord. He is known to be a simple, humble, and a holy man. He is the very personification of an ascetic person. He saw and shared in the sufferings and travails of the people he served. He would see the need where most people don’t. He would go to serve where many people wont. He would see things not just with his eyes but also with his heart.
We have a close family member who is battling with a dreadful disease right now. She has kept her conditions mostly to herself all this time, not wanting to cause any worry or trouble to others. But it is sad how I would miss out on the sufferings of loved ones until it is too late. This is a spiritual blindness that can be cured by a simple caring question or a loving touch or just being there to really see.
About two years ago, I got a Thanksgiving greeting from a dear friend from my yesteryears. It came out of the blue and I was deeply touched but I did not follow up. Recently, I tried getting in touch with her again but I could not anymore. I am now wondering whether that call from two years ago was a call for help, a cry for assistance. Sometimes, I can be blind to such calls and cries.
I am often blind. I have my sight but my self preoccupation often prevent me from seeing many things happening around me. This spiritual blindness makes me miss out on the more important things in life. Indeed, there is no one so blind as one who would not see. I make the prayers of the man by the roadside in Jericho my own:
“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
“Lord, please let me see.”
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
~Psalm 1
As Jesus approached Jericho ,a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Luke 18:35-43