people are not thingamajigs
"The man opened his eyes and said, 'I can see people but they look like walking trees!' " —Mark 8:24
The blind man at Bethsaida received a double healing. First, he was given his sight. Then Jesus gave him the ability to see people properly (Mk 8:25). At first, this man saw people as walking trees (Mk 8:24). In the culture of death, many people have a similar problem. They see people as things rather than as people.
Some businesses see people as only a work force and a means of making profits. In pornography and sexual immorality, people are seen as sex objects. In racism, people are seen as colors more than as persons. In many wars, people are objectified and even demonized as "the enemy" rather than being seen as people much like us. In arguments, we tend to see people as problems.
We naturally see people as things. Yet by grace we can see people as persons created by God and called to be His children through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart to be able to see people according to His will (see Eph 1:18).
Prayer: Father, teach me to show reverence to every human being (1 Pt 2:17).
Promise: "How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord." —Ps 116:12-13
Praise: George speaks out against fetal experimentation as he has about previous medical immoralities. With St. Paul, he believes in God and so he speaks out of the conviction of faith (see 2 Cor 4:13).
Reference: (Presentation Ministries' Discipleship Retreat focused on Living Our Vocation to Love, April 25-27, is the first in a ten-day series of retreats. For information or to register, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 1, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 7, 2002