Dazzling Bright and Clear

The story of the Transfiguration as depicted in Mark 9:2-8 tells us that Jesus’ clothes became “dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” The apostles saw Jesus in a way they never had before. We all want to see Jesus more clearly. We want clarity in faith. Now is the time for a visual checkup. Please read more.

I have written extensively about my illness. You likely know that in 2014 I suddenly lost my sight completely due to a rare neurological disease.  My journey from blindness to sight over these past ten years in many ways resembles the typical Christian journey. Over these past ten years, and many medical treatments later, I slowly recovered much of my vision, however, even on a good day, everything in my field of vision was still shrouded in a dense fog.

My illness damaged my optic nerve but ten years of steroids, used in treating my illness, exacerbated my visual difficulties by causing thick cataracts. For years my doctors feared removing the cataracts, thinking the surgery might trigger my disease and once again cause blindness. However, in December they decided the cataracts had become so bad, and my vision so limited, that it was worth the risk to have them removed. I am delighted to tell you that this past week I had cataract surgery on my right eye. I can see clearly now, the fog has lifted! Praise God! The difference is stunning! If you who have had cataract surgery, you know what I mean. The surgery on my left eye is scheduled in three weeks and I can hardly wait.

What does all of this have to do with you? For the past ten years I have walked in a visual fog. If we are honest, we must admit that we often walk in a spiritual fog. Lent gives us all a chance for a visual checkup. It affords us the opportunity to refocus on Jesus. Lent is the season when we hope this fog will lift. Lent is a time to prepare for the dazzling brightness that’s coming on Easter morning.

At the Transfiguration, the apostles wanted to put up tents and remain on the mountaintop, but the Christian life is more than one on one time with Jesus. There is more to Christianity than kneeling in prayer. We cannot wall ourselves up inside the safety of the church. After an encounter with the love and beauty of  Jesus, He sends us down from our mountaintop experience. He commissions us into the service of others. To do this work, we need clear Christian vision.

In Isaiah 35:4-5 we read, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine  recompense he comes to save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall see!” Isaiah was telling us that when the messiah came, our vision would be restored. The world can be a dark, scary place fraught with danger. If our vision is impaired and our steps shrouded in fog, we stumble more frequently. If our spiritual vision is damaged, we are more prone to falling into one of the many potholes that line the road of life. On life’s journey, we often encounter the evil that lies within the hearts of others. When life happens and we get hurt, a clear view of Jesus helps to ease our pain.

The Bible tells us Saul was knocked to the ground on his way to Damascus when he encountered Jesus. As he got up from the ground and opened his eyes, he could see nothing. It is important to point out that a period of time elapsed before the scales finally fell from his eyes and he regained his sight (Act 9:1-19). Even though we have professed our faith in Jesus, sometimes it takes years before the scales are removed from our eyes.

Lent is the ideal time to have the scales removed from our eyes. It is the best time for spiritual cataract surgery. Jesus, the Divine Healer and Surgeon, is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, waiting to perform our much needed surgery. He can use the surgical tools of our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to remove any impediments that blur our spiritual vision. If we allow Him to perform this surgery now, we will have a dazzling, bright and clear view of Him on Easter morning.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful gift of sight. If there is anything in my field of vision that distracts me from you, please remove it during this Lenten season. I long to see you more clearly Lord! Remove the scales from my eyes.  Amen!   

 AMDG

As always, I love to hear from you. You can email by clicking here.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts about today’s message below.

Brian Pusateri
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8 Comments

  1. Patty on March 13, 2024 at 6:58 am

    Such good news! God has blessed you. I just love your messages. Thank you for sharing with us your faith and wisdom.

  2. Janice Dixon on March 12, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    Thank you Brian! I am so great full to read your mail every week! I am honored and blessed to be on your mailing list! You are my light to being a better Catholic and increase my love to my closer time to meet Father Son and HolyGhost!
    Blessings from Janice Dixon

  3. Diane Schaffer on March 12, 2024 at 11:29 am

    So very happy to hear your good news! Our prayer is the other eye will give you the same clarity! God bless you and the work you do. Always enjoy this post.

  4. Bob Davis on March 12, 2024 at 9:42 am

    Brian,

    Praise God for your improved vision! Thank you for reminding us all not to take our vision for granted!

    I’ve only experienced the typical need for glasses due to age-related presbyopia in the last 8 years. I’ve noticed my vision is worse when I am tired. I’ve also noticed that for just a few minutes after a good night of sleep I can actually read without my glasses. I imagine our spiritual vision is affected in the same way by how exhausted we are with the struggles in this life.

    Thank you for your constant inspiration in helping us to see God more clearly!

    Bob Davis

    • DeAnne Wickens on March 12, 2024 at 4:12 pm

      Praise God for His blessing of sight! I remember when you lost your vision and am so happy to hear this good news. I will be praying all goes well with your other eye as well. I know medical improvements make these things possible but not without God’s intervention through science and those he leads into the professions that work to improve health in us all.

  5. Jim Nolan on March 12, 2024 at 9:41 am

    Brian
    Having had my own cataract surgeries recently, your reflection makes total sense to me. I recall a high school Latin teacher who taught us to pray, Domine, ut videam. Lord, that I might see. What a useful lifelong prayer. Praying that the next surgery goes well. Jim

  6. Kathy Hodges (Church of the Resurrection) on March 12, 2024 at 7:32 am

    Your reflections continue to inspire me.
    Praise God for sharing your beautiful witness of faith with others!

    • Brian Pusateri on March 12, 2024 at 7:37 am

      Kathy

      Thank you! Who knows, perhaps I’ll have an opportunity one day to come back to your parish for another retreat. May God’s blessings be with you.

      Brian

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