Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
We don't want to fall in that pit. So what do we do? Let us pray that we may have the eyes of our hearts enlightened (cf. Eph. 1:18). The first problem is that we think we see just fine and we don't. The counsel to the church in Laodicea is well taken. They are told, "buy ... salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." We need this same salve even though, like that Church, we often don't realize it. The Holy Spirit is the salve who enlightens us and we need to receive him constantly. This happens first at baptism. But as life goes on we need to avail ourselves of this salve again and again. The dirt and residue of this world clings to our eyes and darkens our sight. We end up with huge planks in our eyes. These have to go! But is it really safe to try to remove them on our own when we can't even really see? Jesus is offering us training so that our vision may be as clear as his. He himself will remove the plank from our eyes. He himself will renew the anointing of the salve of the Spirit to soothe and heal any damage done.
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Our teacher is the "light of men", the the light which shines in the darkness which the darkness cannot overcome. He is the "true light, which gives light to everyone". We must not prefer the darkness. We must come to the light, to Jesus. It is hard to realize that we have planks in our eyes. We might just prefer the darkness to a horrific sight like that. But only if we come into the clean light of his presence can he heal us. It is the light of the operating room of the Divine Physician. He wants us to have this light ourselves "so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness" (cf. Joh. 12:46). He wants us to become like him, our teacher, to ourselves become lights for the world (cf. Mat. 5:14) and guides for those who are still blind.
Jesus understands all the baggage we have. He knows how hard it is for us when we're stumbling around in the darkness.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
He wants to mercifully treat all of those who are still in darkness, still in ignorance, or still in unbelief. There is no shortage of grace for anyone.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
As he opens our eyes and heals our vision we must continue to look to him. His word is meant to be the lamp that guides our steps (cf. Psa. 119:105). His is the "prophetic word ... to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (cf. 2 Pet. 1:19).
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
This is the only we we can find the path to life. It is the only way that anyone in this world will avoid falling into the pit. But it is freely offered. Let us receive it and share it.
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