Today through a miracle, Jesus speaks to us about the process of faith. The healing of the blind man in two stages shows that faith is not always an instantaneous enlightenment but often requires an itinerary that brings us closer to the light and makes us see clearly. However, the first step of faith – beginning to see reality in the light of God – is already a reason for joy, as St. Augustine says: “Once the eyes have been cured, what else can we, o brothers, have more valuable? Let those who can see that light enjoy it, whether it flares in the sky or comes from a torch. And how unhappy should they feel those who cannot see it!”

When they arrive at Bethsaida, a blind man is brought to Jesus so that he may lay his hands on him. It is significant that Jesus takes him outside; does this not indicate to us that to hear the Word of God, to discover faith and see reality in Christ, we must come out of ourselves, out of noisy spaces and times that suffocate and dazzle us, in order to receive authentic enlightenment?

Once outside the village, [Jesus] “putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, ‘Do you see anything?’” (Mk 8:23). This gesture recalls Baptism: Jesus no longer puts saliva on us, but bathes our whole being in the water of salvation and, throughout our lives, questions us about what we see in the light of faith. “Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly” (Mk 8:25). This second moment recalls the sacrament of Confirmation, in which we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit to reach maturity in faith and see more clearly. Receiving Baptism but forgetting Confirmation leads us to see, yes, but only halfway.