Recently a passage of scripture was shared with us and we were asked to reflect on how we saw it. The full passage relates to Jesus healing the man who was blind from birth. You are invited to seek out and read the complete passage but below is an extract to look at:
John 9, 6-7: “Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.”
Jesus and the man work together to solve the man’s blindness and give him sight. Before the man could see it was necessary for him to wash the mud out of his own eyes first. Self-examination is important. Not the introspective navel gazing that is self-centred and focused on our own selfish needs. But the internal viewing of our own thoughts, feelings and actions leading to self-awareness. How do our actions or non-actions affect our spouse? Naturally our choices in turn affect family, communities and other relationships. Are we truly acting from a place of caring and love or from a place of control and fear? This is at the heart of marriage relationships.
Daring to look at ourselves in this way is the first step in opening up and appreciating the true beauty of ourselves, those around us and the world in general.
How can we improve our relationships by working together, seeing ourselves and seeing those around us?
This blog was written by Paul and Bianca Smith with Father Andy Burns from Marriage Encounter England & Wales. Marriage Encounter are part of the Alliance of Catholic Marriage Organisations. For more information on the alliance please visit:
www.allianceofcatholicmarriageorganisations.org.uk
