Some ideas to help with your Spiritual eyesight

This weekend Father Vince started out the homily asking: how do you know you are getting old?  Some of the answers were similar to the following:

-       What, I can’t hear you?  (Hearing going bad)

-       My arms aren’t long enough to read  (Eyesight failing)

-       Hair that’s folically challenged   (Hair getting a little light on top)

His point is that we are all getting older and our eyesight, hearing, and other physical abilities aren’t want they used to be and we can use a little help.

A Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee; Peter Paul RUBENS; c. 1618; oil on canvas; the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

The Gospel this weekend was a good example of someone needing help in seeing others.  This was the story of Jesus dining at the Pharisee’s house and a woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with tears, wiped them with her hair, and anointed his feet with ointment. The Pharisee only saw a woman in the view of what she did in the past, a “sinful woman”.  Jesus saw her human dignity, made in the image of God.  He saw her as a person who was seeking forgiveness.  He saw her great worth as a child of God and with strong faith.  Jesus forgave her sins, so she could start over anew.  The Pharisee did not even want to give the woman a chance.  We can all use help with our spiritual eyesight sometimes in seeing others, and then lens of Jesus will help. 

Father Vince shared three items that the Rector of Mundelein Seminary asks of all new priests to keep in mind:

-       Keep Christ at the center of our lives

-       Recognize we are all sinners

-       Realize your life is not about us.  It’s about serving others. 

Father Vince suggested this was good idea for all of us to keep in mind as well.  This will help our spiritual eyesight so we can see others as Christ did and be ready to serve others.  

Have a good week and may God bless you.