among our greatest needs
"A blind man sat at the side of the road begging. Hearing a crowd go by the man asked, 'What is that?' The answer came that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by." —Luke 18:35-37
Imagine if you were color-blind and nearsighted with impaired peripheral vision. Could you see? Yes. Would you need healing of your vision? Absolutely. Likewise, we can see spiritually but "we see indistinctly, as in a mirror" (1 Cor 13:12). We should not let the fact that we have some vision keep us from crying out to Jesus for vision good enough to live His abundant life.
If we don't see God better in our spouse, what chance do we have to persevere in our wedding vows? If we don't see more deeply into God's plan, will we ever stop abortion? Until we see with the eyes of our hearts (Eph 1:18) our eucharistic Lord under the appearances of bread and wine, we will not center our lives to be in communion and go to Communion. This is severe self-deprivation.
Some of us have spent thousands of dollars so that we can see better physically. We have glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, contacts, eye drops, and laser surgery to improve our sight physically. It is much more important to see better spiritually. Consequently, cry out to Jesus "all the more, 'Son of David, have pity on me!' " (Lk 18:39) Pray to Jesus: "Lord, I want to see" (see Lk 18:41).
Prayer: Father, may I follow Your orders exactly so that I will see rightly.
Promise: "Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.' At that very moment he was given his sight and began to follow Him, giving God the glory." —Lk 18:42-43
Praise: St. Elizabeth saw God in the poor, the sick, and the elderly and spent much of her life in service to them.
Reference: (Come to our Discipleship Retreat, Small Christian Communities to Change the World, December 5-6, 2003. Call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003