2 September 2011: The blind man of Bethsaida

“At Bethsaida, Jesus was asked to touch a blind man who was brought to him. Taking the blind man’s hand, Jesus led him out of the village. When he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I see people; they look like trees, but moving!’ ... He laid hands on his eyes again and the man could see perfectly. Jesus sent him home saying, ‘Do not return to the village’.” (cf Mk 8:22-6)

Cure of the blind man of Bethsaida
In effecting an instantaneous cure, Jesus proves his power is unmistakably divine. His compassion avoids all delay in relieving suffering and pain. However, in effecting a gradual cure, he gives his disciples a living lesson that tests the depth of their faith. Previously, he rebuked their failure to understand despite previous evidences of his divinity.
In curing this blind man, Jesus shows their way to faith. By taking the blind man outside the village, Jesus establishes a personal relationship with him away from the crowd; and taught to trust in the power of Jesus. The disciple must also be freed of all distractions and trust Jesus with whom he has a personal tie.
The blind or disciple must accept the first healing touch of Jesus. If the experience is uncertain, he must acknowledge his need for the second touch. The restoration of sight is a fitting imagery for the spiritual insight of faith. Seeing Jesus as a gift comes gradually.
One must heed the final instruction and turn his or her back on the ways of blindness.
Ref: “The WORD Today”, on Mark 8:22-6, “365 Days with the Lord”, St Paul Press, Makati City, Metro Manila

Jesus gives the blind man’s sight by degrees
This miraculous cure is the only one Jesus performed by degrees. Some believe that the blind man’s dispositions were at first very imperfect; but gradually became perfect. Others interpret that Jesus wished to show the slow gradual progress of grace in the soul.
God generally acts in our hearts according to the dispositions he finds there. If good, he does great things; if imperfect, less. Ordinary devotions particularly in reception of the Sacraments may lack diligence so that the flow of grace from God is blocked. His mercy is thereby prevented. Does experience show this?
Let us learn not to be discouraged or lose patience when, after a certain time of prayer and endeavour, we still see our pious desires unrealized; and we have not obtained the entire cure of some spiritual infirmity, or gained a higher degree of virtue. God has his own times. By degrees, He leads us to His ends. Perseverance will infallibly lead us to them.
We should always have before our mind the benefits God has given us. We must have an ardent gratitude for them; a great dread of not profiting by them. Have we anything to accuse ourselves of on these points?
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp549-50

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
1422 “Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (“Lumen Gentium”, 2)
What is this sacrament called?
1423 It is called the ‘sacrament of conversion’ because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father (cf Mk 1:15; Lk 15:18) from whom one has strayed by sin.
It is called the ‘sacrament of Penance’, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance and satisfaction.
1424 It is called the ‘sacrament of confession’, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession”, acknowledgement and praise, of the holiness of God and his mercy toward sinful man.
The ‘sacrament of forgiveness’, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.” (“Ordo Paenitentiae” 46: formula of absolution)
Called the ‘sacrament of Reconciliation’, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor 5:20) He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” (Mt 5:24)
Ref: “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 1994, pp335-6

Divine mercy as revealed in the Sacrament of pardon
The mercy of God is unlimited. As our knowledge of and fidelity to the Lord grows, our desire for interior purification increases. Our confessions must be filled with the sorrow of love, not routinary. We should approach each confession as if it were our last. Let us recall those five conditions for a good confession which we probably learned in childhood.
First, our ‘examination of conscience’, a thorough review of our sins and bad habits. Second should be ‘sorrow for sins’, so as to be truly contrite. Third, we should have a ‘true purpose of amendment’, a serious resolve to sin no more. Fourth, is ‘confession of our sins’, to beg Christ’s personal pardon. Fifth is ‘to do penance’, as imposed by the priest. This penance is not merely a work of piety; but serves as an act of reparation and satisfaction for the sins committed.
We must go to Confession frequently and regularly so that we will avoid any separation from the Lord, even in little things. Let us ask the help of Our Lady, ‘Refuge of Sinners’, that we may constantly improve the quality of our confession. Consider also the splendid work of mercy in bringing a friend, relative or colleague to this renewal of supernatural life.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:27-8

• Our Lady of Helbron or of Nettles, in Franconia, Germany. This image began to work miracles in the year 1441. — Triple Couronne, n. 73. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Helbron / Nettles. Franconia, Germany. 1441. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Helbron or Nettles (Franconia, Germania). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Helbron, Germany (1441). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)