posted Yesterday
Blindness is one of the physical defects that can cripple a man and make him almost useless and insignificant in a world where normal people live. The gift of seeing is one of the best gifts that God has bestowed on man. We cannot imagine a world where there is nothing but darkness all over. We all are dreaming to see all the beautiful sights that this world can offer us to see. And so, to be blind is almost synonymous to dying because blindness and darkness are the alter ego of death.
The man in our gospel today is dead from his birth. He never saw the world since birth and to the world standards, he is dead. His humanity is filled with the darkness of despair, loneliness, misery and maybe with so much pain and agony. But his spirit does not follow the same path for he is destined to meet the Lord who would eventually give him what he lacks and perfect his defects. Jesus did not instantaneously give him his eyesight but he did it with a condition of washing the mud from his eyes first that Jesus smeared on him. Other gospel miracles tell us of instant cures and instant solutions to problems but this one requires something from the blind man. God is not being unjust here but maybe he simply wants to raise a point that out of every grace that is freely given to man, there is a corresponding obligation or duty on the part of man. I think this is fair enough because we are not supposed to be spoon fed by God without us doing our part.
After his sight was given to him, he bowed down and worshipped Jesus, his Lord. Bowing down would mean his submission of his entire life to God and he placed the Lord at the center of his life in worship. Now the blind man has been transformed from a dead and useless creature to a living and efficient tool of propagating Gods love and mercy to the world. In the darkness of his life, the light of Christ had shone. In his death, the new life in Christ has dawned. And in his despair, hope was his salvation.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the whole country is in darkness and the whole country is dead. We can also say that the whole country is beginning to despair and that the Philippines is physically blind. I dont need to elaborate on these things because I know that you know so well that these are the harsh realities that confront each and everyone of us. We clamor for a change not only in our government and leaders but change in the entire system of our life as Filipinos. We start to blame one another save ourselves because we no longer want to remain blind and embrace the darkness in our life. We are in darkness because we are blind to the truth. We are hopeless because we do not want the Lord to rule our lives and in the process let go of our personal dreams and ambitions. We are dead because the light of Christ has been vanished by our selfishness.
So where do we go? The blind man in the gospel is so lucky that Christ had passed by where he was probably sitting. However, we are not so lucky just like him because the truth is we are even luckier than him because Christ is wanting day and night to be with us. The problem lies in our stubbornness and our refusal to simply let him in to our lives. We do not want our country to be ruled by God and this is evidenced by the fact that we continue to cloud the truth to come out in the open. We can never be like the blind man who turned out to be personification of Gods love and mercy and we can never have the new life because what we want actually is to remain forever in the darkness of our lives and in our sinfulness.
This country is sick. Change in the leadership may not be the solution and the people power also may not be the necessary means to effect change. What we actually need is the change of heart of every man. I bet this is next to impossible and so, personally, my fervent prayer is for every corrupt government officials, the executors of political killings and extra-judicial killings, the liars in the senate hearings, the rapists and drug addicts, the robbers and killers, the pimps and the harlots to simply settle in this forsaken country of ours. When everyone of them from the whole wide world is gathered in this little archipelago, maybe thats the time for me to settle somewhere else where peace and tranquility, justice and equality, goodness and Gods love reign as never before. Thats the only time when we can say we are no longer blind.
The rest is here:
Heal Our Blindness, Lord - Catanduanes Tribune
- 001 Burn Victim Eye Sight Restored with Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- 002 Blindness Cured? - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- 003 Blindness Study Opens the Door for Further Stem Cell Trials [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2012]
- 004 Stem Cell Treatment Helps on Blindness [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- 005 Dame Judi Dench Battling Blindness [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- 006 Stem cell repair kit for glaucoma could mean a treatment for the most common cause of blindness [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- 007 Dublin team creates collagen and stem cell barrier against blindness [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- 008 Irish research blindness breakthrough [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2012]
- 009 Stem Cell Operation Attempts To Heal Corneal Blindness [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- 010 Some Heavy Kids at Risk of Blindness [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- 011 Blindness breakthrough as scientists turn stem cells into the tissue that allows humans to see [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2012]
- 012 A Struggling Artist's Fall-Back Career: Curing Blindness [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2012]
- 013 From Cloning 'Dolly the Sheep' to Curing Blindness, Scotland is on the Forefront of Life Science Discoveries [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2012]
- 014 UW discovery could be cure for some blindness [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2012]
- 015 Stem-cell research: $37 million [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- 016 Stem cells improve visual function in blind mice [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- 017 Blind Mice Get Experimental Stem Cell Treatment For Blindness [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- 018 25. Medical Biotechnology: Part Ib. Stem Cells-Therapy and Medical Research NQ - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2012]
- 019 Perceptions of Promise art show opens at UAlberta - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- 020 ABC NEWS: Stem Cells Cure Blindness - Video [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2012]
- 021 Stem Cell Treatment Restores Man's Vision - Video [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2012]
- 022 Stem Cell Treatment Cures Blindness - Video [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2013]
- 023 Trial to cure age related blindness to begin in London - Video [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2013] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2013]
- 024 Can Stem Cells Cure Blindness? - Video [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2013] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2013]
- 025 Stem-cell help for blindness - Video [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2014]
- 026 Stem-cell treatment for blindness - Video [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2014]
- 027 Stem Cells, Blindness And Why The Media Loves Miracle Cures - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2014]
- 028 Can Stem Cell Injections Cure Blindness? - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2014]
- 029 P-SPAN #411: "Treating Blindness with Stem Cells" - Video [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2015]
- 030 Color blindness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 031 Blindness (Blindness, #1) by Jos Saramago Reviews ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 032 Vision Impairment and Blindness: MedlinePlus [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 033 Blindness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 034 Blindness (Harvest Book): Jose Saramago: Amazon.com: Books [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2015]
- 035 Banner Blindness: Old and New Findings, 10-year research ... [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- 036 Blindness - KidsHealth [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 037 Blindness (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 038 Blindness: Get Facts About Causes of Vision Loss [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 039 How are color blindness see the rainbow? - For... [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2015]
- 040 Prosopagnosia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2015]
- 041 The Four Frames of Color-Blindness Laura Bestler [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2015]
- 042 Genre Blindness - TV Tropes [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2015]
- 043 Glaucoma Service Foundation to Prevent Blindness [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2015]
- 044 Onchocerciasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2015]
- 045 Blindness (2008) - Rotten Tomatoes [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2015]
- 046 Do you suffer from face blindness? Seven signs and ... [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2015]
- 047 Inattentional blindness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2015]
- 048 Blindness in Dogs - WebMD [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 049 blindness | medical condition | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 050 Blindness | ASPCA [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 051 Blindness | DO-IT - University of Washington [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 052 Blindness - RightDiagnosis.com [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 053 Blindness Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes ... [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 054 Blindness: Types, Causes & Symptoms - Healthline [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2015]
- 055 Social-Security-Disability-Forum: Blindness and Vision ... [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2015]
- 056 Vischeck: About Vischeck [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2015]
- 057 Visual impairment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- 058 WHO | Micronutrient deficiencies [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2015]
- 059 Blindness (2008) - Plot Summary - IMDb [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 060 Prevalence Color Blindness [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 061 318. On His Blindness. John Milton. The Oxford Book of ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 062 Free Oedipus the King Blindness Essays and Papers [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 063 Leading Causes of Blindness [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 064 Color Blindness Tests and Facts - Archimedes Laboratory [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 065 Is Acupuncture a Beneficial Treatment for Retinitis ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 066 Blindness and vision loss - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 067 Blindness (novel) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 068 Discover - Blindness and Vision Loss Research [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 069 Health Article - What causes blindness? 23 possible ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 070 Blindness - Kids Health: [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 071 Margaret Heffernan: The dangers of "willful blindness ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 072 Blindness (2008) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 073 Change blindness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 074 Blindness - Medical Disability Guidelines [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 075 inattentional blindness (aka inattention blindness)- The ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 076 Eye on the Cure - Blog of the Foundation Fighting Blindness [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 077 Blindness Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - MedicineNet [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 078 BLINDNESS by Jose Saramago - Webster University [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 079 Inattentional blindness - Scholarpedia [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 080 Prevention of Blindness and Visual Impairment - WHO [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]