The blind

As human beings, we are all in a certain way blind. That is why Jesus often said to his listeners: "You have eyes but you do not see." These words of Christ apply to us as well. We may be indignant at these words, and even disagree with them. Is our sight truly so severely limited? After all, eagles and other animals that hunt at night see far better than we do. We cannot even perceive the guardian angels who have accompanied us since childhood throughout every moment of our lives.

Fortunately, we have a Good Shepherd who desires to lead us by the hand, like children who must be guided by their parents. For if we walk alone through life, we often lack something. And Jesus wants to lead us to a place where we will lack nothing.

When we walk alone, we are constantly anxious and worried about something. Jesus, on the other hand, wants us to rest like sheep in green pastures. If we journey alone, we are always thirsty and hungry, but Jesus desires our satisfaction and the refreshment of our soul.

Only He can lead us along the right paths, even though they are so often different from the ones we have chosen for ourselves.

In this present time, because of the many wars taking place in the world, we are passing through as humanity through the dark valley of death. Many of us fear the evil that is so near – not only in the Middle East and Ukraine, but also in Poland.

That is why we – believers – cannot be like the blind being led to inevitable destruction, but rather like little sheep, for whom Jesus Christ Himself is the guide – our Friend. His rod and staff are our comfort, that is to say the holy sacraments which we can receive especially in Lent – confession and Holy Communion.

It is He who sets before us the Eucharistic table before our very eyes. Are we so blind that we do not see it? It is He who anoints our heads with His oil, that is with grace and priestly blessing. Are we so insensitive that we do not experience it?

And even if our cup of suffering is full to the brim, and if our life's journey is the way of the heavy cross – sickness, pain, or hardship – still, in spite of everything, God's grace and blessing follow us through all the days of our life.

We trust and firmly believe that we shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. For it is the best Shepherd – our Lord Jesus Christ – who leads us by the hand to our Father's house. Amen.