Word to the Wise
Friday, December 5, 2008 - Friday in the First Week of Advent
[Isaiah 29:17-24 and Matthew 9:27-31]On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see........
These words from Isaiah carry a special poignance in this season for me because my ministry here at St. Catharine's is to a large number of elderly Dominican sisters, many of whom are struggling with the loss of hearing and eyesight that comes with aging. How can one bring hope to what appears to be an irreversible process? Isaiah shows such a healing to be part of the "day of the Lord." The gospel scripture for this day, then, shows Jesus doing precisely those things which would be associated with the coming of the kingdom (a major theme in Matthew). He heals the two blind men! Perhaps the most important line is not the one that announces their healing but rather the response to his question: "Do you believe that I can do this?" When they say, "Yes, Lord!" He then touches their eyes and says, "Let it be done for you ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH." Helpless though I may feel to restore the hearing and sight of the sisters here, my efforts in preaching and other ministry, are aimed at hope that comes from the realization that physical blindness and deafness are no obstacle to the faith that sees and hears the word of God. I simply retell the story and invite them to realize the kingdom that comes from their hearing and seeing it in faith. In advanced age, they are preparing for the "day of the Lord" that will come with their death. But then they will see and hear completely in a way that we who remain can only hope for! They are an Advent preaching! AMEN
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