To See Clearly

And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34

One of the challenges with families is that we see what we want to see and our eyesight can be clouded by the past, glorious and painful or all rolled together. Around a meal table the ancient stories and myths are brought forth and heroes are regaled. But sometimes we forget to see the wonderful human beings present around the table, the people who have become marvelous wonders despite the challenges and hurdles they have faced. And we often leave out important people, the ones who have been heroic by marrying into our crazy clans, the ones who have listened to our stupid stories, put up with our weird rituals, and who love us despite our kooky families and our tedious re-countings and re-creations. Our families often failed to realize the gifted and the blessings around the table when we get so caught up in the glorious past that never really was.

Jesus recognizes the present situation and refuses to silence the blind beggars. He could revel in the crowd and ignore the scruffy obnoxious guys, but instead he lives in the present and responds to the pressing need, helping these men reach their full potential. He knows them for their reality and not their challenges, their awkward, outcast status, their neediness not their inconvenience. They are some mother's beloved sons, children in need of redemption, not a disturbance needing to be squelched. We are all in need of being recognized and loved fully in our present and our gospel today tells us that God is with us today, embracing the fullness of who we are all through our lives. God knows, loves and cherishes everyone around the table.

Today I ask God to increase my eyesight. May I see the full wonder of those around me. May I not be clouded by past mistakes, hysterics or heroics, but rather relish my time in their wondrous presence. May we all be loved like precious children and love all we encounter today with the tender eyesight of a gracious and loving God.