Daily Gospel Reflection for February 19, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

Sometimes healing takes time. Does it take time in today’s Gospel because Jesus messed up the first time by putting spittle in the man’s eyes? No. Jesus does not ever mess up. There is a lesson in this story for each of us. When I pray with it, two distinct thoughts come to me.

Jesus heals the man gradually so as not to shock or scare him. We do not know how long the man has been blind, so rather than startle him with perfect vision all at once, Jesus decides to go slowly to allow the man some time to adjust to having his vision.

The other thought is the lesson that we, the people Jesus has come to heal, are meant to have patience. Oh yes, patience. That virtue becomes more difficult to possess in this world of instant everything. We have reached the point with technology that if you have a conversation about something, all of a sudden, offers to purchase it are all over your feeds. No need to search online, it will show up for you. Here, click fast or it'll be gone from the warehouse if you do not click “buy” in the next twenty seconds. Slight exaggeration? Maybe not.

Jesus calls us to slow down and to remember that many good things take time. This is also a reminder of how gentle Jesus is with us. When we have sin or flaws that need to be taken care of, Jesus often reveals them to us slowly. This way we can adjust our thoughts, actions, and desires to be in line with Jesus in a way that leads us to true repentance and joy. 

Ponder:

What is stirred in you as you read this Gospel? 

Pray:

Jesus, You restored sight to the blind man. Help me to see what I am blind to in myself that needs Your healing. 

Copyright 2025 Deanna Bartalini