Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

BE HOPEFUL

            People are caught up in strange situations every day in the midst of a “dancing world.” At times in our own merry making we may think there is no cause for alarm. When we are soaked in comfort and bliss we may think everybody is making that his or her only story. But the reality is that people are really suffering. There are some people who have lost hope in life. Hopelessness can be symbolized with blindness. The blind person sitting by the road side does not only hope that someone will smile on him/her with material charity but that a miracle may restore him/her to sight. To be blind can really be a hopeless situation. That is why I am thankful to some American doctors who come to Ghana almost every year to offer hope to “near-blind” people in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa. If it has not been the kindness of some of these doctors, some of my country folks can just be compared to the blind man in today Gospel – sit by the road side and beg. My dear doctors wherever you are now, may God bless you. Your kindness has allowed some people to see the light again.

            When we talk of the blind receiving hope then a similar story may have been for the Israelites in Jeremiah’s day, though in this case in symbolism. Jeremiah is normally known as the prophet of doom but in today’s first reading he offers a message of hope. Israel caught up in the pain and loneliness in exile received a promise of homecoming. The inspired writer puts it graphically: “…I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng.” The people who were scattered and exiled without any hope of being restored back to their land receives a message of hope. The story begins “with tears”, in a blindness that cries out for light but does so in vain. “Consoling them, I guide them”, so that, now able to see, they can find the path along which God leads them. It is “a level road, so that none shall stumble.” Blind people constantly stumble, those who see can glimpse the already-established road. Yet here we recall that Jesus called himself the light of the world: “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:22).

            If Jesus is the light then, the blind beggar did not want to miss his opportunity when he heard that Jesus was passing his way. St Mark tells the story in a lively way. Mark dominates the story with a single theme: “to be able to see.” The blind man hears that Jesus and a large throng of people are passing by and recognizes his unique opportunity. Hence his shout: “Son of David, have pity on me!” by employing the term “Son of David”, which is found in all three Synoptic Gospels, he meant “prophet” or “wonderworker” (cf. Matt. 9:27; 15:22). Annoyed, people try to make him to be quiet, but he cries out all the louder. At this point Jesus stops, summons him, and asks him what he wants. Now comes the single and unique wish: To be able to see! His longing for light is part of what causes Jesus to grant the healing, which in turn makes it possible for the man to follow him. This following after Jesus shows that the longing for light was a longing for something more basic: a longing for the right path, the path a blind person cannot find; a longing for the path that leads to God, a path whose direction and stages one must see if he is to embark upon it. He who was cut off from light now finds his way home.

            Jesus’ encounter with the blind man shows that he does not only heal but invites the healed on the path to eternal life. The blind man after his healing followed Jesus all the way. I will like to think that some people have come to Jesus with a material request to better their lives but like the blindman when we receive what we asked from Jesus, we should not abandon the Christ way but follow him until we arrive at the gates of heaven. As we make the former our daily human desire, let us make the latter our unum necessarium (the one thing that really matter). Because of what good will it be if we gain the whole world and loss the glory of heaven. May our Blessed Mother pray for us. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAY FOR US.