Pause

Of all the human senses, sight is the one most of us take for granted. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, we expect to see the world. And of all the human senses, taste is the one we savor, the one where we become keenly aware of the blandness, the tartness, the spiciness, the sweetness of the world.

Consider now how we encounter God through an awareness of what it means to taste and see the wonder in the world.

Listen

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:49-52

Think

Unlike the people who dismiss Bartimaeus, Jesus stops in his tracks, still and listening — not to the noisy swarm of people who would silence the blind man, but to this single, small person’s cries for mercy. When the people see that Jesus has taken note of the man, their tone changes to encouragement: “Take heart.”

No one has to tell the beggar a second time. He springs up, feeling his way, and we can almost see him as he stumbles toward the sound of Jesus’ voice. We can imagine Jesus standing still and watching in wonder at the great faith of a person who had no reason to believe that anyone would be kind to him. In the same way, God hears every voice that cries out in the chaos of life, even when others may turn away or discourage us.

Estelene Boratenski

Pray

Merciful God, give me faith to turn toward your voice, even when I can only feel my way. Thank you for the blessing of being able to taste and see that the Lord is good. Amen.

Go

Go now to taste and see
The presence of God and
The goodness of God.
Free all your senses to feel
The grace and mercy that is
Everywhere God abides.