LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Blind Man of Bethsaida
Jesus comes to Bethsaida, the small village by the Sea of Galilee. It is Galilee, the despised, almost gentile. They bring a blind man for Jesus to touch. They know that whatever his hand touches is transformed. Something is going to happen to this man, as it has happened to many others. There is expectation among the bystanders. How will he do it this time?
Then, something unusual happens: Jesus takes the man by the hand, and leads him through the streets of the village. See him there! The Master walks through the streets with the blind man by the hand. His pace is slow, his bearing, as always, is distinguished, though humble. How could it not be?
Jesus does not put his hand on his shoulder. He does not give him a fatherly nudge accompanied by a: "Walk!". He does not give him his arm to hang on him. Nor does he ask the men to guide him; he takes him by the hand! Oh, marvel of love, of humility! On the street, they are two men walking. God incarnate walks beside a human rag, as if He were not God; and as if that man were not an outcast. They are two men. The Blessed One accepts to be the other's guide, with the greatest tenderness, with the greatest gentleness, only as God can have it.
After that, there is no one whom we cannot take by the hand. After He has touched the leper, there is no one whom we cannot touch. After He has accepted the hospitality of a fisherman from Galilee, there is no hospitality, no matter how poor, that we cannot accept.
Where does Jesus take him? He takes him outside the village, and there he heals him. His spittle is all those eyes need to see. His hands also touch him. The blind man is healed - it could not be otherwise!
Then he sends him home, and says to him: "Do not come into the village any more". The Lord does not want publicity, which he would have had. He does not want praise, which he deserved. The Lord sends him away. It is the blind man of Bethsaida. It is Jesus taking him by the hand. It is Jesus taking off, magnanimously, his divinity. It is God among men.