Who Is Blind?
February 19, 2025 - Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 8:22-26
Today’s story of the healing of the blind man is part of a larger section in Mark’s Gospel known as “On the Way.” After his final dispute with the Pharisees over a sign from heaven, Jesus left Galilee and set out for Jerusalem, where he would endure a shameful death on the cross and rise again on the third day. Along this journey, he repeatedly taught his disciples about his suffering, death, and resurrection. Yet, despite hearing this three times, they failed to understand.
This section of Mark’s Gospel includes several key events. The disciples were unable to cast out a demon from a possessed boy, Jesus reaffirmed the sanctity of marriage against the prevailing practice of divorce, and a rich man rejected Jesus’ invitation to sell everything and follow him. The way of the cross is demanding—who can accept it? Yet, in the midst of this, Mark provides a moment of encouragement: the Transfiguration. Yes, following Christ is difficult. Faithfulness in marriage, renouncing the pursuit of wealth, leading through humility rather than dominance—all of these are challenges. But is anything truly worthwhile ever easy? Instead of focusing solely on the cross, we must also look beyond it, toward the glory of the Transfiguration, which strengthens and energizes us for the journey.
Returning to today’s Gospel, the healing of the blind man takes place in two stages. At first, he sees people, but they appear as blurred figures, like trees walking. Only after Jesus’ second touch does he see clearly. What is the significance of this? It mirrors how people viewed Jesus. Despite witnessing his miracles and hearing his teachings, many saw him only as a prophet. But seeing Jesus merely as a prophet is like seeing people as trees—an incomplete vision. Tomorrow’s Gospel will reveal Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, the true King of Israel. Yet, recognizing this truth requires God’s healing touch.
Mark bookends this section of his Gospel with two stories of blind men being healed. The first man is healed gradually, while the second is healed instantly. The first is told not even to enter the village, while the second follows Jesus on the way to the cross. Between these two healings, we see the spiritual blindness of the disciples. Initially, they could not grasp that the Messiah had to suffer before entering into glory. This is the heart of the Gospel message: unless we understand the cross as the path to salvation, transformation, and resurrection, we remain blind.
May Jesus touch our hearts and open our eyes—not only to recognize him as Lord but to understand that the only path to salvation leads through the cross.