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Friday, December 4, 1998

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St. John Damascene


Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27
Matthew 9:27-31

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an eye-opening christmas

"He touched their eyes and said, 'Because of your faith it shall be done to you'; and they recovered their sight." —Matthew 9:29-30

In today's Scripture readings, the Church is proclaiming God's promise that "the eyes of the blind shall see" (Is 29:18). She implies that Jesus will heal blind people this Christmas season. This is great news for the physically blind, those who love the blind, and those who realize their spiritual blindness.

All of us are spiritually blind in some way. For example, some people honestly don't see what's wrong with artificial birth control. This blindness warps their marriages and sexual relations. This blindness even prevents the creation of persons. To be healed this Christmas of such blindness would be an awesome miracle. Also, many don't see that they're being programmed by a culture of death. They stare at the TV and become brainwashed, anesthetized, and spiritually paralyzed. If only we would see enough to cry out: "Son of David, have pity on us!" (Mt 9:27)

Spiritual blindness is epidemic, so an eye-opening Christmas would change and free the world. Ask for a first miracle of seeing your blindness. Then, through God's word (Rm 10:17), receive a second miracle of deeper faith (see Mt 9:29). Next, ask Jesus for a third miracle of healing from spiritual blindness. The Christ of Christmas will open your eyes.

Prayer:  Father, in Your love do three miracles in my life to begin the Christmas season.

Promise:  "On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see." —Is 29:18

Praise:  St. John gave his gifts to others in the form of poems, hymns, and teachings, thus building up faith as he showed kindness.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, June 11, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 20, 1998