Wednesday Answer

Mark 8:22-26

This is the second time we encounter Jesus in Bethsaida (cf. Mark 6:45). On this occasion a blind man is led by the hand to Jesus by some people who believe that a simple touch by Jesus will heal him. Jesus in turn takes the blind man by the hand and leads him to a more private place. This healing miracle is noteworthy because of the way the healing takes the form of a treatment. In the first instance, Jesus spits on the man’s eyes and lays his hands on him. Although the man experiences some improvement, he reports, ‘I see men; but they look like trees, walking’ (v. 24). So Jesus puts his hands on the man’s eyes once more and this time his sight is fully restored. Jesus heals to restore the person, not to court publicity or recognition, and sends the healed man home, saying, ‘Do not even enter the village’ (v. 26).

Discernment. 

I think of myself standing in a circle of light, and the light of discernment comes from a number of sources: scripture, the events of the day, prayer, listening to friends who are with us in the Lord, Church guidance. When the light coming from all these sources sort of agree, then the light goes on within and we can trust that we have been open to all the avenues by which the Holy Spirit seeks to guide us.