A reading from the gospel according to Mark 8:22-26:

22 When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
25 Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
26 Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

Reflection: Healing Touch

This miracle story of healing a blind man is unique to the gospel of Mark. Caring people brought to Jesus and begged Him to heal a blind person. With the use of saliva, the blind man was able to see but it was blurry at first. Then He touched the man’s eye a second time and the sight was completely restored.

The gospel passage can be better understood in connection with the previous verses where Jesus chastised His disciples for their lack of understanding. Thus, this story of blindness becomes a metaphor for lack of understanding. “Do you have eyes and not see?” (Mark 8:18). Note that Jesus performed the so-called two-stage healing which may mean that at first, His disciples can only partially grasped His teachings but later, when the Holy Spirit comes, they will understand everything.

It is striking to note that the healing become complete only after a second attempt. Applying it in our daily life, we must not be disappointed when we fail the first time. Patience and persistence are the keys to success.

Like the people in the story, may we bring others to get a healing touch from the Lord. In particular, may He touch our eyes so we may see completely the signs and wonders that He is doing in our life.