Our eye's are windows' for the soul. In daily life we seldom stop to consider the endless wonder of how eye and brain unite to provide a colour camera record of our days. The marvel of our sight could be the theme of unending songs of praise. Milton knew how great a sorrow was the loss of vision. He shared most deeply in the agony of mighty Samson.
. . . Eyeless in Gaza, at the mill with slaves.
O dark, dark, dark amid the blaze of noon,
Irrecoverahly dark. total eclipse. Without all hope of day.
If Milton lived among us now he would rejoice to see how fully all can enter into daily living. No more would he write of
. . .that one talent which is death hide.
All of us can walk and work together.
How often do we, with full faculties, still fail to see? The Gospel sign of a wondrous cure (St Mark 10) comes before us amid the sadness of some who, with healthy eyes, stumbled on the way without true vision. James and John were intent on securing the first places in the kingdom. Even on the road to Jerusalem they failed to see. The money changers and the temple dealers were also sadly blind. Amid such frail mortals, so lacking in real vision, Christ showed to us his healing love.
At Jericho, that wonder land of flower and fruit, there came a moment of healing and of grace. A poor blind beggar, Bar Timadus, was sitting by the road. Excitement filled the air. He could hear, but he could not see, that the famous young rabbi was close by. He called aloud in hope, "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!" Many rebuked him and ordered him to be still. But with courage born of trust, he cried more loudly "Son of David, have pity on me!" Jesus stopped. "Call him over here!", The fickle crowd now changed. "Be of good heart! Arise! He is calling you!" He threw off his cloak, which a beggar could ill afford to lose, and jumped up. He came to Jesus. He heard the gentle welcoming words of the master. "What do you wish me to do for you?" And in humble trust Bar Timaeus called aloud "Master grant that I may see!" The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds. He got his grace filled answer. "Go! Your faith has made you well!" He asked in faith and his miracle occurred. He followed Jesus all along the road. What was his history? Only the chronicles of God can tell.
This Scripture incident comes to us as we go our pilgrim way in the glory of high summer. The Gospel story is set amid records of far deeper blindness. The poor sightless beggar knew his poverty, and realised his need for a healing saviour. Many close to him were more deeply wounded and more tragically blind. Could we, amid the hope filled beauty of high summer be like to them? Today, He is calling, even now. Lord that may see!