When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him." (Mark 8: 22).

Then followed a remarkable sequence of steps:
#1. Jesus led the blind man by the hand outside the village.
#2. He put spittle on the blind man's eyes.
#3. "Do you see anything?"
#4. Yes, but the images are distorted.

"Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly." (Mark 8: 25).

Now Jesus instructs the man:  “Do not even go into the village.” (Mark 8: 26).

What are we to make of this remarkable incident? To say that for Jesus these steps and instruction to the man are unusual is to say the very obvious.
The blind man's situation is unique. He probably has heard of Jesus and intensely desired to be healed like Bartimaeus. (Mark 10: 46 - 52).
The blind man lived among people who probably were wicked and scorned faith and spiritual things.

Two possible lessons from this miracle:
#1. Never doubt your genuine spiritual experiences. The doubt has the power to rob you of your miracle.
#2. Move away from people who are cynical about your faith and values. They could influence and infect you more than you realize or can resist.

After you receive your miracle, give thanks in order to consolidate your faith and miracle:

"To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
 and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people." (Psalm 116: 12-14).

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“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?...... “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).

How much spiritual things do you understand? Jesus laments the dullness of heart of His disciples. When he was trying to teach them to be on guard against the pernicious teachings of the Pharisees and the religious teachers, their minds turn to familiar things - bread and food simply because Jesus mentioned "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod." Are we not like the disciples?

We are grateful for this incident because Jesus used it as a teaching moment to coach us on the importance of understanding, remembering and having an open mind and heart if we are to grow in religious truth.

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).

St Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower understood and remembered the little things. She delighted the Heart of Jesus so much that Jesus taught her the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and made her a Doctor of the Church. St Therese continues her ministry of teacher of little things and missionary from heaven.

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." (John 14: 26).

This promise of Jesus is the ground for my hope when it comes to understanding and remembering the teachings of Jesus. How does this work? I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding and bring to my memory the wonderful things God has done for me.
I resolve never to forget "my ancient landmarks." (Proverbs 22: 28). I keep a journal.

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“Why does this generation seek a sign?” (Mark 8: 12).

Why was Jesus sad that the people of His generation were still asking for a sign? They did not believe that Jesus is the Messiah or the Son of God. Jesus is the Way they must walk to eternal life. He is the Truth everyone must believe. He is the Life that begins here and meshes to eternal life. Yet this truth appeared absurd to His contemporaries and to many today.

The evidence for the claims of Jesus is manifest to all people of good will. Jesus gave us the Beatitudes which together is the way, the life and truth of Jesus. He founded the Church which is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth. He gave the Church the Sacraments, the inspiration and power for the Journey to eternal life. He performs many miracles which can not be denied or wished away. Ultimately, He was crucified, died and was buried. Then He performed the greatest miracle: His Resurrection.

Do you still not understand? Why are you full of doubts? Stop doubting and believe!

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"Thus says the Lord:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from theLord."  (Jeremiah 17: 5).

Blessings and curses depend upon our trust or lack of it in the Lord.

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust."  (Jeremiah 17: 7).

When you trust God, God becomes your security in everything. The person who hopes (waits expectantly) in the Lord is promised to yield fruits in due season. His leaves never fade. The Holy Spirit directs his steps and so whatever he does prospers.

These four men served King Henry VIII in England in the 16th century: Cardinal Thomas Wosley, Thomas Cromwell and St Thomas More &  St John Fisher.  Cardinal Wosley and Cromwell trusted in the king rather than God.  They both died a miserable death.  Thomas More and John Fisher trusted in God. They are saints and venerated all over the world.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way."  (Luke 6: 26).

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"The Lord God then called to the man and asked him: Where are you?"  (Genesis 3: 9).

We read today the climax of the story of creation. There are 5 principal take aways:

#1 For deceiving Adam and Eve, the Serpent was cursed and chastised.  We may say that this deepened his envy and hatred for mankind.

#2  The ofsprings of Adam and Eve became marked by Original Sin.  They lost the original innocence.

#3  "I will intensify your toil in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children." (Genesis 3:  16).

#4  "Your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." (Genesis 3: 16).
This is one a gravest consequence of Original Sin. This curse affects the state of peace and friendship between man and woman.  The infidelities, fightings, divorces can all be attributed to this curse. Eve's disobedience shattered the original innocence of the first Creation.

#5  And to man, "Cursed is the ground because of you!
In toil you shall eat its yield all the days of your life." (Genesis 3: 17).

What does this mean? Human labor becomes cursed along with the earth.

All is not lost. The Lord God has Plan B:
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel."   (Genesis 3: 15).
We have here in Genesis 3: 15, a glimpse of the the Good News.  God will send His Son Jesus Christ to redeem the world.

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