Gospel in Art: The blind man was cured and could see everything distinctly

Christ Healing the Blind Man by Sebastiano Ricci 1712 © National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16th February 2022 - Mark 8:22-26

Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, 'Can you see anything?' The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.' Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, 'Do not even go into the village.'

Reflection on the Painting

In our painting by Sebastiano Ricci, we see Christ putting spittle on the eyes of the blind man and restoring his sight. Saint Peter is standing on the other side of the man, watching the miracle up close. We can see further a mother and child, a soldier, a man wearing a turban and some of Christ's Apostles. A poor crippled beggar on the right is being given some food by a charitable woman. Although this painting is quite small (52cm by 67cm), the classical architectural design in the background gives the composition a grand setting. Our painting was initially owned by King George II's physician, Dr Richard Mead, and may well have been painted as a gift, perhaps from a grateful patient.

We have many accounts in scripture of Jesus healing blind people. Literally, as in today's reading, and also spiritually of course. Jesus came to help all of us regain our vision. He came to open our eyes to the love His Father. We often fail to see it.

But whilst the blind man regained his vision instantly when Jesus put spittle on his eyes, our spiritual healing is a slower, more gradual process. It is a bit like imagining we are in a room filled with darkness, at night. We try to find our way, touch our way around the room to find the door. We trust that opening the door will let the light into the room. If the door were opened fully in a split second, imagine how much our eyes would ache. However, if we opened the door slowly, our eyes would adjust gradually and soon we would see clearly everything around us. If Christ were to reveal Himself to us fully all at once, we could not handle it. We would be overwhelmed, at risk of quickly shutting the door: too much light at once. Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples gradually, with glimpses of His glory when performing miracles… He reveals Himself the same way to us: steadily every day, with tangible moments of grace scattered throughout our lives.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1086
Christian Art - www.christian.art