Friday of the 1st Week of Advent
Jesus asked the blind man, “Do you believe that I can do this?” Mt 9:27-31
It a good question. The blind man in the gospel answered, “Yes, Lord.” Immediately, the blind man miraculously received his sight.
If Jesus were to ask me the same question when I am sitting in my own spiritual or emotional blindness, my answer is too often not “Yes, Lord” but instead “Yes, but…” My ‘but’ follows some familiar patterns. But I can fix this on my own. But I really don’t want to bother you right now. But I’m thinking this situation is a little too messed up, even for you. But I don’t want to do what needs to be done. But this is not at all your concern. But… its complicated!
Instead of saying “Yes, Lord,” period, I say “Yes, Lord, but…” The ‘but’ is the difference is between wandering in the wilderness or seeing a pathway forward. It’s the difference between gaining my sight and remaining blind. When I think about it, ‘but’ is a little word, but ‘but’ is a word that would keep the blind man blind and blocks the healing, restorative power of Jesus from coming into my life.
Advent is a time to open my eyes to the infinite possibilities God offers. It is a time to replace the ‘but’ with the ‘Lord’. Most of my sadness, pain and confusion is a type of blindness, even a greater blindness than a physical blindness. Deep down, I often don’t deeply believe that Jesus can help me regain clarity of sight and purpose.
“Believe” has become a slogan seen a lot around the days leading up to Christmas, on sweaters, plaques, and ornaments. It’s often associated with believing in Santa Claus and other Christmas magic. Secularism aside, it’s a nice word to spark the imagination. I used to like seeing the tee-shirts. It’s now become a little old and cliché, a marketing slogan more than a state of mind.
The word brandished around on merchandise also doesn’t carry the same power as the word coming from the lips of Jesus. Speaking to a man who has been blind from birth, he says, “Do you believe? Do you believe I can do this?” This belief goes way beyond Christmas glitz and cuts to the core of our faith and a blessed life with God.
Here is an exercise for you. First name a problem, a struggle, or a internal malaise you’re experiencing now – your own form of blindness. Describe this problem in detail to Jesus. Then imagine Jesus looking you in the eye and asking, “Do you believe I can do this?” How would you answer: “Yes, Lord” or “Yes, but”?