THEIR EYES WERE OPENED…

Isaiah 29:17-24

17 Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.20 For the ruthless shall come to nought and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,
21 who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.
22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale.
23 For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.24 And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.”

Matthew 9:27-31

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.”
28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.”31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.  

MEDITATION

ISAIAH THE PROPHET apply the seasonal change in a metaphoric sense to describe a moment in the lives of Yahweh’s people when their state of doom,gloom and darkness will be replaced by fruitfulness, beauty and light. The deceiving hands of Satan will be tied, because the people will recognize and stand in awe of the God of Israel.

St MATTHEW describe the occasion when two men who in spite of their blind state, pursued Christ, because their faculty of hearing allowed them to ‘recognize’ that He is the Son of David! The mens journey led them into a ‘house,’ an allusion to the Church where Jesus privately interrogated their motive of assent to establish the certainty of their beliefs that He possessed the power to heal them from blindness. 

“Motives of credibility are supernatural signs that manifest the miraculous action of God above natural causes. Their purpose is to show that an alleged revelation from God is truly His Word, and not that of a false prophet.These motives allow us to make the transition from human faith in the word of a prophet to divine faith in God who speaks through the prophet. Proportionate motives of credibility make the act of faith reasonable and morally compelling.With sufficient motives of credibility, it is unreasonable not to believe; without such motives, it is unreasonable to believe. Belief in an alleged revelation that is not supported by sufficient reasons to think that God is its source would put one in danger of attributing mere human words and claims to God.”

Jesus accredit the knowledge and faith of the blind men who affirmed that He is able to restore their sight upon which He healed and ordered them to not publicize their encounter with Him. May our eyes be opened so we may be inspired to trumpet the Sacramental truths and claims of the Church that was founded by Christ Jesus, such that all people may be drawn to her. 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 27:1,4,13-14

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.