by Joanie Butman
Like many other seniors, my mom suffers from macular degeneration, a progressive deterioration of the retina, causing loss of eyesight. It makes it difficult for her to read, watch TV, cook or any other simple daily task. I wish I could share a funny anecdote resulting from her blurry vision, but there’s nothing humorous about losing your sight. There are a number of visual aids available but none that restore the simple joy of reading a good book, painting a picture, knitting a blanket or viewing a beautiful sunset. As with the myriad of other indignities aging brings on, one’s quality of life decreases dramatically.
There’s also a spiritual version of macular degeneration where our focus blurs and, left untreated, can cause spiritual blindness. Your age has nothing to do with the onset of this affliction. It can happen at any time. Those suffering from this condition also lose their joy in life. Why is that? Because Jesus is the source of our joy and when we lose sight of Him, it dulls our senses and ability to appreciate all that life has to offer.
My mom gets shots in her eyes every six weeks to slow disease progression, but there is no cure. In fact, the shots themselves make it difficult to see for a day or so. These doctor’s appointments give me an excellent opportunity to visit for a few days so I can assist while her eyes recover. Conversely, there’s a cure for spiritual vision loss and good thing because it’s rarely a one-time event. Life offers a smorgasbord of options that take our focus off Christ leaving us stumbling in the dark. The same way I lead my mom around while she recovers from the shots, Christian fellowship offers us similar assistance when we are in a spiritual blackout. I have been guided through some of my darkest days by the prayers of others, their spiritual direction and lots of hand holding. There is good reason St. Paul claims in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
This topic has been foremost in my mind because I’ve been researching new technology that claims to help MD patients. The glasses they recommend narrow your focus and magnify objects. The jury is still out on their efficacy. On the other hand, Gospel glasses aren’t visible but are fundamental to the Christian life. There are centuries of empirical evidence to prove their value. I read recently that, “Your beliefs are the lenses through which you see the world. What you believe determines your focus and in turn your actions.” When I lose my focus on Jesus, things go awry quickly.
Oddly enough, it’s when life is at its most difficult that my Divine focus becomes laser sharp. Perhaps that’s why Pope Francis asserts, “Sometimes tears are the glasses that we need to see Jesus.” Gospel glasses change our focus and perspective. They not only allow us to see Christ more clearly but ourselves as well – in all our sinfulness. However, when viewing ourselves through the lens of Christ it is not with condemnation and shame but with compassion and grace.
Only through observing the world through the Gospel of Jesus do we have any hope of fulfilling His command to “love others as I have loved you.” Choose to start each day by putting on Gospel glasses. You will love the view!
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/connie-l-blakemore/spiritual-eyeglasses-what-you-see-you-get/