Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-15-12

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 02-15-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

February 15, 2012

 

Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Reading 1 Jas 1:19-27

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters:
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.
He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets
what he looked like.
But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,
and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts;
such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue
but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R. (1b) Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?

Gospel Mk 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
"Do you see anything?"
Looking up the man replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking."
Then he laid hands on the man's eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village."

[markomalley]

Feb 15, Night Prayer for Wednesday of the 6th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours:
Vol I, page 1180
Vol II, Page 1638
Vol III, Page 1280
Vol IV, Page 1244

Christian Prayer:
Page 1047

General instruction:
Please pray with us actively, especially by joining with us in saying antiphons and responses, most of which are indicated in this highlight.

Consider an examination of your own conscience before beginning to best make use of our time together in prayer.

Night Prayer for Wednesday

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of conscience:

We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better.

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

HYMN

Maker of this heart of mine
You know me very well
You understand my deepest part
More than I know myself
So when I face the darkness
When I need to find my way
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

Keeper of this heart of mine
Your patience has no end
You’ve loved me back into Your arms
Time and time again
So if I start to wander
Like a lamb that’s gone astray
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

You’re the beacon of my nights
You’re the sunlight of my days
I can rest within Your arms
I can know Your loving ways
So let the cold winds blow
Let the storms rage all around
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

Giver of this life in me
You’re what I’m living for
For all my deepest gratitude
You love me even more
So as I walk through valleys
Listening for the Master’s call
I’ll trust in you
Shepherd of my heart

You’re the beacon of my nights
You’re the sunlight of my days
I can rest within Your arms
I can know Your loving ways
So as I walk through valleys
Listening for my Master’s call
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

“Shepherd of my heart” song performed by Melinda Kirigin-Voss on her album “Yesterday, Today, and Forever”
“Shepherd of my heart” by Melinda Kirigin-Voss is available from Amazon.com

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

Psalm 31:1-6
Trustful prayer in adversity
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46).

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free,
hear me and speedily rescue me.

Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Release me from the snares they have hidden
for you are my refuge, Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

Ant. 2 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

Psalm 130
A cry from the depths
He will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,
Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness:
for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
more than watchman for daybreak.
Let the watchman count on daybreak
and Israel on the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem
from all its iniquity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

READING Ephesians 4:26-27

If you are angry, let it be without sin. The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Canticle

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Concluding Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have given your followers
an example of gentleness and humility,
a task that is easy, a burden that is light.
Accept the prayers and work of this day,
and give us the rest that will strengthen us
to render more faithful service to you
who live and reign for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Blessing

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and
Blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.

[Salvation]

Information: St. Claude de la Colombiere

Feast Day:	February 14
Born:	2 February 1641 at Saint-Symphorien d’Ozon, Rhône, France
Died:	15 February 1682 at Paray-le-Monial, Saône-et-Loire, France
Canonized:	31 May 1992 by Pope John Paul II in Rome
Major Shrine:	Monastery of the Visitation nuns at Paray-le-Monial
Patron of:	toy makers, turners

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Faustinus and St. Jovita

Feast Day: February 15
Born/Died: Second Century

St. Faustinus and St. Jovita were brothers born in a noble family and lived in Brescia, Italy. From the time they were young, Faustinus and Jovita were well-known for their great love for God. They were eager professors of the Christian religion, which they preached without fear in their city of Brescia in Lombardy, during the persecution of Adrian.

They also performed works of Christian charity. They helped each other do good for the people who needed them. The bishop of Brescia made them both priests. They began to preach everywhere, to both the rich and the poor.

They spared themselves no sacrifice to bring many people to God. Because it was a time of persecution, it was easy to be afraid. But Faustinus and Jovita would not give in to fear of the soldiers even though these soldiers were actually putting many Christians to death.

They were preaching the Gospel fearlessly in the region when Julian, a pagan officer, arrested them. They were commanded to adore the sun, but replied that they adored the living God who created the sun to give light to the world.

The statue before which they were standing was brilliant and surrounded with golden rays. Saint Jovita, looking at it, cried out: "Yes, we adore the God reigning in heaven, who created the sun. And you, vain statue, turn black, to the shame of those who adore you!" At his word, it turned black. The Emperor commanded that it be cleaned, but the pagan priests had hardly begun to touch it when it fell into ashes.

They were left without food in a dark jail cell, but Angels brought them strength and joy for new combats. And no matter what the two priests suffered, they would not promise to stop preaching about Jesus. They kept an attitude of prayer even in that terrible prison. In fact, they willingly offered up their sufferings to the Lord.

The two brothers were sent to the amphitheater to be eaten by lions, but four lions came out and lay down at their feet. The flames of a huge fire did not burn them, and a large number of people who saw this were converted and became Christians at the sight.

Finally the Emperor ordered that they be beheaded, and they knelt down and received the death blow. The city of Brescia honors them as its chief patrons and treasures their relics (remains).

Reflection: Let us keep watch for opportunities to encourage and support our families in living out the Gospel.

[Salvation]

Catholic

Almanac:

Wednesday, February 15
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church honors Bl. Andrew of Segni. He was a member of the Italian royal family, but rejected a life of luxury for one as a hermit. He spent his life deep in prayer and was harassed by demons because of it. Andrew died in 1302.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: February 15, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• Risotto alla Bresciana

ACTIVITIES

• Dramatics at Home for Elementary Children

PRAYERS

• None

LIBRARY

• Spiritual Warfare: The Occult Has Demonic Influence | Bishop Donald Montrose D.D.

Ordinary Time: February 15th

  Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Ordinary Time Old Calendar: Saints Faustinus and Jovita, martyrs

"If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20)." The need to make reparation is a vital, inescapable urge of a free person. His very nature cries out for order and peace. His reason tells him that where an order has been violated, the order must be repaired; and the higher the order, the greater must be the reparation. To be free at all, is to accept the responsibility for atonement. Sin is a violation of God's order. Sin demands reparation — the reparation of personal penance, personal prayer, personal charity to all. Part of our atonement to God is made by serving our fellow men. — Daily Missal of the Mystical Body

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Sts. Faustinus and Jovita, two martyrs of Brescia, in Italy, where they are the patrons of the city. A late account of their martyrdom makes them two brothers, one, Faustinus, a priest and the other, Jovita, a deacon.

---

St. Faustinus and Jovita
Faustinus and Jovita were brothers, nobly born, and were zealous professors of the Christian religion, which they preached without fear in their city of Brescia in Lombardy, during the persecution of Adrian. Their remarkable zeal excited the fury of the heathens against them, and procured them a glorious death for their faith.

Faustinus, a priest, and Jovita, a deacon, were preaching the Gospel fearlessly in the region when Julian, a pagan officer, apprehended them. They were commanded to adore the sun, but replied that they adored the living God who created the sun to give light to the world. The statue before which they were standing was brilliant and surrounded with golden rays. Saint Jovita, looking at it, cried out: “Yes, we adore the God reigning in heaven, who created the sun. And you, vain statue, turn black, to the shame of those who adore you!” At his word, it turned black. The Emperor commanded that it be cleaned, but the pagan priests had hardly begun to touch it when it fell into ashes.

The two brothers were sent to the amphitheater to be devoured by lions, but four of those came out and lay down at their feet. They were left without food in a dark jail cell, but Angels brought them strength and joy for new combats. The flames of a huge fire respected them, and a large number of spectators were converted at the sight. Finally sentenced to decapitation, they knelt down and received the death blow. The city of Brescia honors them as its chief patrons and possesses their relics, and a very ancient church in that city bears their names.

— Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler’s Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Lives of the Saints for Every Day of the Year, edited by Rev. Hugo Hoever, S.O. Cist., Ph.D. (Catholic Book Publishing Co.: New York, 1951-1955).

Patron: Brescia.

Things to Do:

• Read more about St. Faustinus and Jovita here and here.

• Read what the Catholic Encyclopedia has to say about the city in Italy in which they lived.

• Discover Brescia and if you are a cooking enthusiast try making the authentic Italian dish, risotto allo zafferano, (rice with saffron). Recipes can be found here About: Italian Cuisine and if you are REALLY interested you can learn what arborio rice is and why it should be used to make authentic risotto. If your not interested in the finer details you can make the recipe in Catholic Culture's database.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 8:22-26

“I see people looking like trees and walking.” (Mark 8:24)

The Gospels record many instan­taneous miracles, but the healing recounted here occurs in stages. Friends bring a blind man to Jesus, who takes him by the hand and leads him away from the crowd. He puts saliva on the man’s eyes and asks what is happening to him. “Can you see anything?” According to one translation, this man “was beginning to see,” but the people he saw were shadowy forms moving about. Jesus touched his eyes again, and then he could see clearly.

This is a wonderful model for spiritual growth! We have encoun­tered the living God, and we are beginning to see things in a new way. Still, so much remains indis­tinct and fuzzy. Only through con­tinued dialogue with Jesus and his repeated touch can we grow in our ability to see the world in the light of God’s love.

But there is another way to apply this story of gradual sight. For most of us, our life’s work comes into focus gradually rather than being revealed early on. For instance, three of us may like numbers, but that aptitude may lead one person to become a teacher and another to program computers and a third to compose music. It’s only as we grow and experiment, and as we listen to the Lord and the mentors he has given us, that we discern what our true calling is.

Similarly, our vocation may be outlined in a moment of decision to become a priest or to seek a spouse, but it takes a lifetime to enflesh that vocation. Being a parish priest or the mother of small children dictates much of what will fill our days. But only in cooperation with the Holy Spirit can our daily routine become a vocation of love, a way of bringing God’s kingdom into a specific time and place.

In your prayer today, tell Jesus what you can see, and admit what still seems confusing. Take a look at the way your vocation is unfolding. How is God inviting you to love him more? Ask him to sharpen your spir­itual vision so that you can see your life and your calling more clearly.

“Jesus, I long to see myself and others as you see us. Open my eyes wider to the reality and power of your love.”

James 1:19-27; Psalm 15:2-5

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for February 15, 2012:

“An enduring marriage is more than simply endurance. It is a process of growth into an intimate friendship and a deepening peace” (Follow the Way of Love).

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Jesus, His Way

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

February 15, 2012

Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Scott Reilly, LC

Listen to the podcast version here.

Mark 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" Looking up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking." Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe you are leading me, but sometimes I sense insecurity creeping within me. So I renew my confidence in you once more. I know that you can desire only what is good for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. In return, take my love and my desire to please you in everything.

Petition: Deepen my humility and increase my trust in you, dear Jesus!

1. Jesus Leads: From the very get-go, we push ahead for self-sufficiency. Think of a little child who strives to walk by himself, without his parents helping him keep his balance. In the spiritual life, it’s the opposite: We need to reach out to Christ for guidance, support and strength. Admitting our faults can be a humbling, but fruitful experience. Pride prevents us from doing this gracefully, but––have faith––if we do, Jesus will unleash his power within our lives. “Holiness is not in one exercise or another, it consists in a disposition of the heart, which renders us humble and little in the hands of God, conscious of our weakness but confident, even daringly confident, in his fatherly goodness” (St. Therese of Lisieux).

2. Patience, God has a Plan: “I want it now” is a modern cliché. Our wanting it now, though, doesn’t always work with God. His plan is a plan for our greater good—even if it isn’t our plan. The blind man’s sight wasn’t healed instantly, but gradually. How we want to be holy now and never return to the valley of filth and pride! Yet we seem to fall again and again. Holiness is always a work in progress, but that doesn’t faze Jesus. He knows the power his grace can work in our lives. Simply turn your difficulties over to him and keep trying. Our failures teach us to be humble, and this can only bring us closer to God. “This I know very well: although I should have on my soul all the crimes that could be committed, I would lose none of my confidence; rather, I would hasten, with my heart broken into pieces by sorrow, to cast myself into the arms of my Savior. I know how greatly he loved the prodigal son; I have marked his words to Mary Magdalene, to the adulterous woman, to the Samaritan. No, no one could make me afraid, because I know to whom to cling by reason of his love and mercy. I know that all this multitude of offenses would disappear in the twinkling of an eye, as a drop in a roaring furnace” (St. Therese of Lisieux).

3. Humble Jesus: He tells the man not to go into the village. Is Jesus afraid or in a hurry? No, his humility simply beckons him to move on quietly without anyone knowing. Jesus is fascinated with humility and thus practices it. We, on the other hand, love to get the credit; we crave recognition. Simply enter a professional office and behold the recognition plaques lining the walls like wallpaper. Jesus had no plaques; he had only a reputation of doing good deeds. He teaches us the power of purity of intention, which shuns any type of self-aggrandizement. 

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, help me to abandon myself to your care; I trust in you completely. Knowing that I am weak and you are my strength gives me confidence. Help me to keep in mind that I am little and you are great. You are the one who deserves the glory, and you ought to be the protagonist in my life. Help me to go about quietly doing good like you.

Resolution: I will make an act of charity, praying, “Jesus, I do this only because I want to prove my love for you.”

[Salvation]

Seeing and Hearing

 

• Homily of the Day
• February 15th, 2012
• Food For Thought

First Reading: Jas 1:19-27
Psalm: Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
Gospel: Mk 8:22-26

The gospel today tells us of the healing of a blind man in the vicinity
of Bethsaida, a town along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus
healed the blind man not in one dramatic action, but instead, he healed
him by using spittle and in a gradual manner.

What is the good news today? What is the message conveyed indirectly
to us by this story? What do the action and words of Jesus teach us?
The words, “Do you see anything?” is not only addressed to the blind
man, but also to everyone who hears the gospel as proclaimed throughout
the ages.

In earlier verses (Mk 8:17-18), Jesus asked his companions in the boat,
“Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do
you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” He asked these questions
because he saw their lack of understanding even after they had seen and
experienced the multiplication of the loaves of bread and fishes.
As we reflect and contemplate the gospel today, Jesus asks the same
questions: “Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and ears but not
see and hear?” Having experienced his love and mercy, Jesus also asks:
“Do you see anything?” What would be our response to him?
Perhaps we should recall the words of Jesus at the start of his
ministry. He said: “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and
recovery of sight to the blind…Today this scripture passage is
fulfilled in your hearing.”(Luke 4: 18-21) Indeed grace and healing
builds up in our hearts gradually in the same manner as the healing of
the blind man in today’s gospel.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Wednesday, February 15, 2012 >>

Saint of the Day

James 1:19-27
View Readings

Psalm 15:2-5

Mark 8:22-26

TONGUE-DEPRESSOR?

"If a man who does not control his tongue imagines that he is devout, he is self-deceived; his worship is pointless." —James 1:26

 

"All of us fall short in many respects. If a person is without fault in speech, he is a man in the fullest sense, because he can control his entire body" (Jas 3:2). However, "the tongue no man can tame. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (Jas 3:8). Nevertheless, God can do the impossible. The Holy Spirit, Who appeared with tongues of fire (Acts 2:3), can control the tongue.

We let the Spirit control our tongues if we:

• are slow to speak, especially in anger (Jas 1:19),
• usually speak few words (Prv 10:19),
• "say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them" (Eph 4:29),
• refuse to be silent, when we should speak up for Jesus (see Acts 4:19-20),
• "profess the truth in love" (Eph 4:15),
• warn the wicked man (Ez 3:18), and
• use our tongues to praise the Lord (see Acts 2:4).

Let us give the Lord our hearts. Then our tongues will be controlled by Him, for we speak from the abundance of our hearts (Lk 6:45).

 

Prayer: Father, make my tongue a weapon for righteousness, not evil (Rm 6:13).

Promise: "He saw perfectly; his sight was restored and he could see everything clearly." —Mk 8:25

Praise: Roger has learned to say a "Hail Mary" when faced with a person who agitates him.

[Salvation]

 

"Love one another as I have loved you."

 

Pray to end abortion.

[annalex]

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 8
22.	And they came to Bethsaida; and they bring to him a blind man, and they besought him that he would touch him.	Et veniunt Bethsaidam, et adducunt ei cæcum, et rogabant eum ut illum tangeret.	και ερχεται εις βηθσαιδαν και φερουσιν αυτω τυφλον και παρακαλουσιν αυτον ινα αυτου αψηται
23.	And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the town; and spitting upon his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he saw any thing.	Et apprehensa manu cæci, eduxit eum extra vicum : et exspuens in oculos ejus impositis manibus suis, interrogavit eum si quid videret.	και επιλαβομενος της χειρος του τυφλου εξηγαγεν αυτον εξω της κωμης και πτυσας εις τα ομματα αυτου επιθεις τας χειρας αυτω επηρωτα αυτον ει τι βλεπει
24.	And looking up, he said: I see men as it were trees, walking.	Et aspiciens, ait : Video homines velut arbores ambulantes.	και αναβλεψας ελεγεν βλεπω τους ανθρωπους οτι ως δενδρα ορω περιπατουντας
25.	After that again he laid his hands upon his eyes, and he began to see, and was restored, so that he saw all things clearly.	Deinde iterum imposuit manus super oculos ejus : et cœpit videre : et restitutus est ita ut clare videret omnia.	ειτα παλιν επεθηκεν τας χειρας επι τους οφθαλμους αυτου και εποιησεν αυτον αναβλεψαι και αποκατεσταθη και ενεβλεψεν τηλαυγως απαντας
26.	And he sent him into his house, saying: Go into thy house, and if thou enter into the town, tell nobody.	Et misit illum in domum suam, dicens : Vade in domum tuam : et si in vicum introieris, nemini dixeris.	και απεστειλεν αυτον εις [τον] οικον αυτου λεγων μηδε εις την κωμην εισελθης μηδε ειπης τινι εν τη κωμη

[annalex]

22. And he comes to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man to him, and besought him to touch him.
23. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
24. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
26. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

GLOSS. After the feeding of the multitude, the Evangelist proceeds to the giving sight to the blind, saying, And they come to Bethsaida, and they bring a blind man to him, and besought him to touch him.

BEDE; Knowing that the touch of the Lord could give sight to a blind man as well as cleanse a leper. It goes on, And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town.

THEOPHYL. For Bethsaida appears to have been infected with much infidelity, wherefore the Lord reproaches it, Woe to you, Bethsaida, for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. He then takes out of the town the blind man, who had been brought to Him, for the faith of those who brought him was not true faith. It goes on; And when he had spit in his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

PSEUD-CHRYS. He spat indeed, and put His hand upon the blind man, because He wished to show that wonderful are the effects of the Divine word added to action; for the hand is the symbol of working, but the spittle, of the word proceeding out of the mouth. Again He asked him whether he could see any thing, which he had not done in the case of any whom He had healed, thus showing that by the weak faith of those who brought him, and of the blind man himself, his eyes could not altogether be opened.

Wherefore there follows: And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking; because he was still under the influence of unfaithfulness, he said that he saw men obscurely.

BEDE; Seeing indeed the shapes of bodies amongst the shadows, but unable to distinguish the outlines of the limbs, from the continued darkness of his sight; just as trees standing thick together are wont to appear to men who see them from afar, or by the dim light of the night, so that it cannot easily he known whether they be trees or men.

THEOPHYL. But the reason why he did not see at once perfectly, but in part, was, that he had not perfect faith; for healing is bestowed in proportion to faith.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. From the commencement, however, of the return of his senses, he leads him to apprehend things by faith, and thus makes him see perfectly; wherefore it goes on, After that, he put his hands again upon his eyes, and he began to see, and afterwards he adds, And he was restored, and saw all things clearly; that is, being perfectly healed in his senses and his intellect.

It goes on: And he sent him away to his house, saying, Go in to your home, and if you enter in to the town, tell it not to anyone.

THEOPHYL. These precepts he gave him, because they were unfaithful, as has been said, lest perchance he should receive hurt in his soul from them, and they by their unbelief should run into a more grievous crime.

BEDE; Or else, he leaves an example to His disciples that they should not seek for popular favor by the miracles which they did. Mystically, however, Bethsaida is interpreted 'the house of time valley,' that is, the world, which is the vale of tears. Again, they bring to the Lord a blind man, that is, one who neither sees what he has been, what he is, nor what he is to be. They ask Him to touch him, for what is being touched, but feeling compunction?

BEDE; For the Lord touches us, when He enlightens our minds with the breath of His Spirit, and he stirs us up that we may recognize our own infirmity, and be diligent in good actions. He takes the hand of the blind man, that He may strengthen him to the practice of good works.

PSEUDO-JEROME; And He brings him out of the town, that is, out of the neighborhood of the wicked; and lie puts spittle into his eyes, that he may see the will of God, by the breath of the Holy Ghost; and putting His hands upon him, He asked him if he could see, because by the works of the Lord His majesty is seen.

BEDE; Or else, putting spittle into the eyes of the blind man, he hays His hands upon him that he may see, because He has wiped away the blindness of the human race both by invisible gifts, and by the Sacrament of His assumed humanity; for the spittle, proceeding from the Head, points out the grace of the Holy Ghost. But though by one word He could cure the man wholly and all at once, still He cures him by degrees, that He may show the greatness of the blindness of man, which can hardly, and only as it were step by step, be restored to light; and He exhibits to us His grace, by which He furthers each step towards perfection. Again, whoever is weighed down by a blindness of such long continuance, that he is unable to distinguish between good and evil, sees as it were men like trees walking, because he sees the deeds of the multitude without the light of discretion.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or else, he sees men as trees, because he thinks all men higher than himself. But He put His hands again upon his eyes, that he might see all things clearly, that is, understand invisible things by visible, and with the eye of a pure mind contemplate, what the eye has not seen, the glorious state of his own soul after the rust of sin. He sent him to his home, that is, to his heart; that he might see in himself things which he had not seen before; for a man despairing of salvation does not think that he can do at all what, when enlightened, he can easily accomplish.

THEOPHYL. Or else, after He has healed him He sends him to his home; for the home of every one of us heaven, and the mansions which are there.

PSEUDO-JEROME. And He says to him, If thou enter into the town, tell it not to any one, that is, relate continually to your neighbors your blindness, but never tell them of your virtue.

Catena Aurea Mark 8

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Healing of the Blind Man

Duccio di Buoninsegna

1308-11
Tempera on wood, 43 x 45 cm
National Gallery, London