Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 19 February ’25. I see people

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 19 February ‘25

Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday

Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22. Psalm 116. Mark 8:22-26

I see people!

The Gospel of Mark can be divided into three sections based on the theme of Messianic secret or revelation: (a) Who is Jesus? (Mk 1:1–8:26); (b) Jesus is the Messiah (Mk 8:27–33); and (c) What kind of Messiah is Jesus? (Mark 8:34–16:8)

Today’s Gospel reading (cf. Mk 8:22-26) concludes the first section, where Jesus’ identity remains unclear to both the people and His disciples.

A unique healing miracle

The healing of the blind man in Bethsaida is unique because, unlike Jesus’ other miracles, it happens in two stages: 

First, the man sees imperfectly – He says:

“I see people, but they look like trees walking.”

Then, after Jesus touches him again, he sees clearly.

Immediately after this passage, in the next verses, Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah.

What does this tell us?

People and even Jesus’ own disciples struggle to fully recognize who He is. They see partially—like the blind man seeing people as trees. Only when touched by Jesus again does the man see clearly—just as the disciples will only truly understand Jesus later.

Thus, this passage can be read both as a miracle and a metaphor for spiritual blindness.

Noah sees the land again

In the first reading, after the great flood, Noah sees the land emerging again.

God makes a covenant with Noah and places a rainbow as a sign of His mercy.

This passage reminds us that God’s justice is always followed by His mercy. Even after destruction, God remains faithful to His creation. Just as the blind man in the Gospel slowly sees again, Noah slowly sees hope restored after the flood.

What lessons can we learn?

(a) God’s mercy is greater than our failures

Even after human sin, God shows compassion: He spared Noah and his family. He did not abandon the blind man, even when his healing took two steps. Even when people fail to recognize Him, Jesus remains patient.

(b) The process of spiritual sight

Many times, we struggle to see God’s presence in our lives. Just like the blind man, we may only see partially—we may believe in God, but not fully understand His ways. Only when we allow Him to touch us again do we gain clarity.

(c) Are we ‘walking trees’?

The blind man first saw people as trees walking. Many of us move through life without awareness—we are alive but emotionally and spiritually numb. In our families and workplaces, do we truly see and understand those around us? Or are we merely walking trees—present, but not truly engaged?

A final thought

Jesus asks us today: “Do you see clearly?”

Are we fully aware of God’s presence in our lives?

Or are we still seeing people as trees, not understanding the full truth?

Like the blind man, we must let Jesus touch us again so that we may see with clarity.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy