ACC ~ Mark 8 v22 - 26

OVERVIEW:

The spittle and mud in the miracle of the blind man are a prototype pointing to the washing away of our sins in baptism (AMBROSE). The blind man was being freed to recognize the otherwise hidden, corrupt condition of his soul. We are urged to pay special attention to the spiritual sense at those points where the literal sense alone may be misleading (JEROME). Thus from Bethsaida, the “house of fishers,” fishermen would be sent into the whole world to tell of his coming. When the new law of the Spirit is given, there is no reason to cling blindly to the old law of the letter (JEROME).

8:22a | They Came to Bethsaida

THE MEANING OF BETHSAIDA

JEROME: They came, then, to Bethsaida, into the village of Andrew and Peter, James and John. Bethsaida means “house of fishers,” and, in truth, from this house, hunters and fishermen are sent into the whole world. Ponder the text. The historical facts are clear, the literal sense is obvious. But we must now search into its spiritual message. That he came to Bethsaida, that there was a blind man there, that he departed, what is there remarkable about all that? Nothing, but what he did there is great; striking, however, only if it should take place today, for we have ceased to wonder about such things. HOMILY 79. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0594, 5.7; FC 57:154**.

THE BLINDNESS OF ISRAEL

JEROME: Watch this very carefully. Note exactly what is said. In the home village of the apostles, there is a blind man. In the very place where the apostles were born there is blindness. Do you grasp what I am saying? This blind man in the very home of the apostles is like the lost covenant people of Israel. HOMILY 79. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0594, 5.16; FC 57:154-55**.

8:23 | When He Had Spit on His Eyes

A BAPTISMAL ANALOGY

AMBROSE: So too he placed mud upon you, that is, modesty, prudence, and consideration of your frailty. … You went, you washed, you came to the altar, you began to see what you had not seen before. [1] This means: Through the font of the Lord and the preaching of the Lord’s passion, your eyes were then opened. You who seemed before to have been blind in heart began to see the light of the sacraments. THE SACRAMENTS 3.15. [2]

[1] The healing of the blind man recalls the opening of the ears in baptismal chrismation.

[2] Cetedoc 0154, 3.2.14.45.52; FC 44:295*.

8:25 | He Laid His Hands upon His Eyes

THE FILM OF SIN

JEROME: Christ laid his hands upon his eyes that he might see all things clearly, so through visible things he might understand things invisible, which the eye has not seen, that after the film of sin is removed, he might clearly behold the state of his soul with the eye of a clean heart. [1] TRACTATE ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK, HOMILY 5. [2]

[1] Cf. Is 6:5; 1 Cor 2:9.

[2] Cetedoc 0594, 5.97; CCL 78:476; GC 1:414*.

8:26 | He Sent Him Away to His Home

THE PLAIN SENSE BEGS FOR FURTHER SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION

JEROME: How, then, is his house not in Bethsaida? Note the text exactly. If we consider the literal interpretation only, it does not make any sense. If this blind man is found in Bethsaida and is taken out and cured, and he is commanded: “Return to your own house,” certainly, he is bid: “Return to Bethsaida.” If, however, he returns there, what is the meaning of the command: “Do not go into the village?” You see, therefore, that the interpretation is symbolic. He is led out from the house of the Jews, from the village, from the law, from the traditions of the Jews. He who could not be cured in the law is cured in the grace of the gospel. It is said to him, “Return to your own house”—not into the house that you think, the one from which he came out, but into the house that was also the house of Abraham, since Abraham is the father of those who believe. [1] HOMILY 79. [2]

[1] Cf. Ex 4:5; Rom 4:3; Gal 3:6; Jas 2:23.

[2] Cetedoc 0594, 5.116; FC 57:158*.