The blind man saw: A poem for Quinquagesima

The sightless saw more clearly than the rest

For he was blind to all but Christ. Oppressed

By learned scribes whose eyes could not perceive,

Blind guides who would not give the beggar leave,

Yet God had given him the light to spy

The hidden Godhead that was passing by.

The inly-blind made haste to stop his prayers,

Who instantly and yet more loudly blares:

“O Son of David, hear! Have mercy, Lord!”

His ears were deaf unto the threatening hoard.

For though the sightless mouth to eat him lists,

The voice by faith enlightened yet persists.

When Jesus heard the blind-man’s humble plea,

He knelt and touched him: “‘Tis by faith ye see.

Let then, by faith, thine eyes be opened too,

For love, inspired by faith and hope can do

All this; indeed, and more will soon take place.”

Thus healed the man beheld God’s smiling face,

The very light that opened his new eyes.

(Such signs and marvels still dumbfound the wise!)

Then onward to Jerusalem he tread,

Accomplishing those greater things he said

That charity with faith and hope would do:

To free all others trapped in darkness too.

The poor, the meek, rejected, and enslaved,

By his descent, he lifted up and saved. 

And thus in grateful song the once-blind went,

For healed by love, his life for love he spent.

________

Based upon the Gospel and Epistle for Quinquagesima: Luke 18.3ff & 1 Cor. 13.1ff.