Wednesday – 6th Week in Ordinary Time C

In the story of Noah, we witness a pivotal moment in salvation history. After the devastating flood, the world, in a sense, is born anew. Noah, ever the faithful servant, sends out a raven, a bird of the shadows, and it returns, unable to find solid ground. Then, he sends forth a dove. The dove, a symbol of purity and peace, returns with a fresh olive leaf, a sign of life, of hope, of the restoration of creation. Noah's patience and perseverance, his trust in God's timing, are rewarded. He and his family step out of the ark into a world made new. Noah builds an altar, offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. God, in turn, promises never again to destroy the earth in this way, and establishes the covenant of the seasons, of seedtime and harvest.
This story speaks profoundly to our own lives. We, too, experience floods in our lives – the floods of sin, of doubt, of despair. We might send forth our own "ravens," seeking a quick resolution, a superficial solace, a quick fix. Yet, true hope and true peace come when we are like the dove. We must go beyond a world that is "back and forth." We must seek a world that has "found a place to alight and perch" and be willing to return with a sign of life, even if it is just an olive leaf of faithfulness. We must cultivate a patient, persevering faith. As we grow in holiness, we must, like Noah, build an altar. An altar of prayer, of repentance, of gratitude. An altar of offering our hearts and minds to God. In this process, we will enter into the covenant of the seasons, the rhythms of life, the knowledge that even through trials, God's promises will never cease.
The Gospel reading presents another powerful image: that of a blind man whose sight is gradually restored. Jesus takes this man aside, away from the clamour of the crowd, away from the distractions of the world. He uses spittle, a humble element of creation, to touch the man's eyes, and asks, "Do you see anything?" The man, in his initial response, sees people who look like trees, walking. His vision is partial, imperfect. But Jesus, in his divine grace, touches him again. This time, the man's sight is fully restored, and he can see everything clearly. Jesus then sends him home, away from the sensationalism, focusing him on a path of discernment.
This parable mirrors our own spiritual journey. We, too, are often blind, or at least, partially sighted. We struggle to see the world as God sees it. We might see people who look like "trees, walking" – figures whose immense sanctity and dignity before God we cannot fully distinguish. We may be clouded by sin, by fear, by the world. Through the sacraments, through prayer, through the grace of God, we receive His touch and our sight is slowly restored and even enhanced from its former state. His grace is a healing balm that allows us to see more and more clearly the beauty, the truth, and the goodness that surrounds us. We must allow Jesus to touch us again and again, until we are able to see the world with the fullness of divine clarity.
Life is a journey, a time for purification, for growing in trust, until we receive a vision beyond all other kinds of vision – that which is beatific in paradise, where we will be able to behold, face to face, the One who made it all, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever God be blessed. Amen.