Matthew 9:27-31 | Chartres Cathedral | Jesus healed two blind men

Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus healed two blind men Jesus healing a Blind Man, Part of Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, constructed between 1194 and 1220, Sculpted limestone © Chartres Cathedral, Paris As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside. READ MORE Reflection on the Cathedral SculptureThis limestone relief sits within the highly sculpted walls in Chartres Cathedral, which was constructed mainly between 1194-1220… about 800 years ago! It shows Jesus healing a blind man whilst two of the disciples are watching. In a way all of us are blind, not being able to see what is right in front of us. Whilst we might have the physical sight, we don’t always have spiritual sight to see how things really are in front of our own eyes. There are moments in our lives where we all feel spiritually blind, as if we are not truly connecting with the hurt that is out there, the homeless needs, the refugees… we can be hardened, and turning a ‘blind’ eye to situations where we don’t really want to get involved. Just like the blind man today, we are in need of healing. And Jesus tells us today that all we have to do, is to ask Him for help. However, we often lack the faith to believe that Jesus can do anything for us. Yes, we believe in Jesus, but we don’t always truly believe He actually came to heal us from our own blindness. Sarcasm in our faith can set in. What can He truly do for me? If Jesus is real, then why is there so much suffering around me? etc… Fair questions, but it means that similar to the blind man, we need our eyes opened to truly see that through prayer and faith, we can be spiritually awakened and helped to take responsibility in addressing the needs around us. We too should find ourselves at the feet of Christ to receive His healing touch… for when we are weak and know our limits, He is strong and will renew our faith to fully surrender to Him again… by Patrick van der Vorst