As someone who’s both super-duper near-sighted and colorblind, today’s readings really speak to me.
Reading 1
IS 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, Who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, They shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
First, God promises to change everything—the deaf will hear, the blind see, and so on. He also sees things that are the opposite of what they ought to be—a defender at the gate is ensnared, a just man has an empty claim. God fixes fix things that aren’t as they should be.
But the most important thing is, as usual, last. Those who are mistaken in spiritual matters will learn. It won’t be forced on them; they’ll receive instruction. Just because the reading is a series of reversal doesn’t mean they have to be violently upended. God is gentle with those who need it.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
If something needs to be corrected in your life, as in the first reading, seek the Lord’s help. Who could you be afraid of with God on your side?
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Spoiler alert for the Gospel reading…
Gospel
Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
There’s a lot going on here besides the obvious (and obviously important) miracle.
Jesus doesn’t just heal them; he asks if they have faith, first. But we can’t let this trick us into thinking that mere belief will create a miracle. That’s basically magic, where the human will can alter the natural world.
No, the miracle only happens when Jesus says it happens. The blind men have put their faith in Jesus, and deservedly so. The purpose of miracles is to increase faith, both in those who receive the miracle and those who witness it (or read about it thousands of years later).
When Jesus tells the formerly blind men to not tell anyone, it’s a near-term thing. This story is still early in his ministry, and he doesn’t want too much attention, not only from the crowds, but also authorities. It’s too early for that.
Still, he has pity on these men, and heals them. And they tell everyone. It was probably a bit of a hassle for Jesus and the apostles, but it’s also why we know the story today.