I was born with a genetic defect, I never had any symptoms upto 8 years of age. But when I tagged along with my similarly affected mother and brother to the doctor , for their annual check ups.. doctor suggested I get examined. I was a fussy 8 year old who wasnt very interested in the examination but to the horror of every one I was also detected to have the same condition!!!!! I was prescribed the aid and mom picked out a sober one to start with.
Following day I walked in school and was mocked by the class bully, she pulled my hair and slammed me into the wall and punched me hard in the abdomen. I slipped and fell and it broke ! I was shattered… I came home to a much disappointed mom who had to spend more than needed to repair it for me. A month later , I sat on it in my absent mindedness and again, it broke into pieces!
While I may have changed around 30 odd pair of spectacles through my growing years, the one constant problem I had was the fact “that without them, “I look but cannot see..” Myopia or short sightedness is a genetic disorder which runs through my family, and I was and still am a victim of the same. I wake up every morning not to check my phone but to frantically search for my eye wear and see the world more clearly, and the only time I take it off is before I hit the sack. It is a part of my personality and I am often told I look like a different person without them !!But over all these years of constantly struggling , the annoyance of my glasses while at work, or surgeries, I do very much appreciate and thank god for my eyesight and all the help to improve it!
In todays gospel , Jesus is asked a question (one I always wanted to ask as a kid) ,”why the parables ?” why cant Jesus just rattle a list of “to do” lists and if we dont we go to hell… would that not be easier to follow and discern?! These parables about seeds and lamps are confusing and need so much effort to understand the faith. But He justifies it, as only a certain people can look and see what is meant to see or hear what should be heard… and then there are us people like me.. who believe despite not seeing, literally and figuratively.
As I grew up I learnt to identify other humans through my other senses too not just sight, just in case I cannot find my glasses. Just like in faith, I learnt to find God at the blessed sacrament or participation in the Holy Eucharistic celebration. I learnt to appreciate God through my other methods when the usual was changed during times of pandemic, God works through the support and love I get from my parents constantly, the love and appreciation at my new workplace, the fact that I can have dry spells in my faith and all your amazing responses on my last reflection made me feel strengthened and filled with the Holy spirit.
Yes, it is true! We all have a blind spot and a whole part of the world remains blind to one part of our vision but some of us suffer blindness and need aid and help to visualize the Lord and have constant faith … let us take it one step at a time and focus with all our other senses and appreciate life …finding our glasses every morning and taking them off with a thankful heart every night … to see the world everyday through His ways and with faith.
PRAYER:
Dearest Lord, I stand before you today, humbled and thankful for my health and life. I apologise for being blind to your mercy and goodness in my everyday life and ask your guidance to let me “see” You Lord. Bless all those who are not blind but need your help to focus on the finer aspects of their faith and those who are blind through their lack of belief or intention.
Bless us all. Amen
