We are all familiar with the idea of "20/20 vision." We go to the eye doctor to ensure we can see the world clearly. But the readi...
We are all familiar with the idea of "20/20 vision." We go to the eye doctor to ensure we can see the world clearly. But the readings for today, the Fifth Day of the Octave, suggest that many of us are walking around spiritually blind.
Our three words for today are Sight, Shadows, and Salvation.
Let’s look at Sight. In the Gospel, Simeon is an old man. His physical eyes were likely failing, yet he had the clearest vision in Jerusalem. When he saw a poor couple with a baby, he didn't see poverty; he saw God. He had the spiritual capacity to recognize God in the ordinary.
Contrast that with the Shadows mentioned in the First Reading. St. John gives us a diagnostic test for our spiritual eyes. He writes, "Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness." He explains that hatred—holding a grudge, nursing bitterness, refusing to forgive—acts like a blindfold. When we hate, we aren't just hurting the other person; we are turning off the lights in our own lives. We stumble. We make bad decisions because we can’t see clearly.
Finally, we arrive at Salvation. Simeon held the baby Jesus and said, "My eyes have seen your salvation." He could see salvation because he wasn't blinded by the darkness of the world.
As we sit in this quiet period between Christmas and New Year's, ask yourself: Is there a "shadow" in my life right now? Is there a family member I am refusing to talk to? Is there a coworker I secretly despise? If so, understand that this hatred is blocking your view of God. You cannot see the "Salvation" Simeon saw if you are choosing to walk in the "Shadows" John warns about.
Actionable Step: Today, pray for the person you find most difficult to love. You don't have to agree with them, but you must pray for them. This is how you take off the blindfold and recover your sight.
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