Can You See Anything?

In the eighth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, we read the story of Jesus healing a blind man. This story is rather peculiar. Jesus puts saliva on the man's eyes, lays hands on him, and asks,

"Can you see anything?"
The blind man replies, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking."
So Jesus lays his hands on him again, and the man can finally see clearly.

Every January sixth, we observe the Feast of the Epiphany. The word epiphany refers to the manifestation or revelation of God, and the feast gives its name to the season that follows Christmas each year.
While meditating on the Epiphany, I find myself wondering how often you and I see the revelation of God around us.

We live in a competitive environment. Many things are hungry for our attention. Our busy schedules, heavy workloads, and parental responsibilities can certainly dull our vision if we are not careful. Clear vision-spiritual vision-requires vigilant awareness of the beauty of God that adorns each mundane moment in which we draw breath.

Just this morning, I happened to look out of my office window. I saw thousands of water droplets captured by tree branches. The sun was occasionally peeking through the clouds at just the right angle, creating a forest of twinkling lights of purple, red, blue, yellow, and green.

It was a moment rich in revelation, a moment that only "Ah!" can describe. I thank God for that moment and for the fact that I did not miss it through being busy or distracted.

Where else is God revealed? Consider the moments that make up your day. A kiss from a loved one-there's God! One of those hugs that children can give that is just pure love-there's God! Snow flakes chasing one another to the ground-there's God! The eyes of husband, wife, child, grandchild, friend, and neighbor-look deeply and see God!

Epiphany and the season that follows call our attention to opening our eyes to behold God with us. It may take some effort, for the competition is fierce. But remember the story of the man who saw people that looked like trees.

All we have to do is pause, pray, meditate, and Christ will touch our spiritual eyes that we may behold the unspeakable beauty that fills every moment of our days.

May you have many "Ahs!" this Epiphany, during the season after the Epiphany, and throughout the new year.

Joel t