The Holy Trinity comes to us as self-emptying love in Jesus Christ.

Faith  

God first loved us. (1 John 4:19)  

Before the foundation of the world, the reality of God’s love as a pure gift has existed and will exist forever. His love has been manifested in creation, in becoming man (Incarnation), in His Transfiguration, and in the Paschal Mystery (His passion, death, resurrection, and ascension), as well as in many other ways. In Christ’s self-emptying love (kenosis), we have a glimpse into His never-ending love. You may wonder, “How can I see these mysteries in my daily life?” The answer lies in learning “to see as God sees,” which requires a response to His invitation to love. The first step is to desire His love and to will to know Him. This week’s prayer will be a lectio on the man healed of his blindness.  

Spot the Virtue  

Courtesy is treating others with respect and recognizing that all are made in God’s image and likeness. First, let’s make a distinction between courtesy and respect. Respect is more about your words and gestures; courtesy is about your other actions. Good manners are an expression of courtesy. For example, making eye contact while speaking with another person is a form of courtesy, as it helps the other know you are listening. At its root, courtesy enables us to see the needs of others and respond to them. It keeps us from considering only our own our desires and enables us to consider the needs and desires of others, too, treating them with dignity.   

You will have to pay close attention to spot courtesy in others. For example, you may see a student hold the door for another person or perhaps make a new student feel welcome. It can look like the following example:  

Name: Keri, I noticed you opened the door for Mrs. Sanders this morning when she came into the school.   

Explain: That was very courteous, because you saw she had her two little kids, and it would have been difficult for her to open the door herself.

Express: Thank you for being courteous and anticipating her needs.   

During the week, try to be attentive to those practicing this virtue. Spot this virtue in at least one person this week.  

Prayer  

In Matthew 13:10-17, Jesus explains the parable of the sower and reveals how we can know the “secrets to the kingdom of heaven.” The “childlike” ones are those who see with the eyes of faith and have ears that hear. Thus, this is the way to have a Catholic Christian worldview: to have eyes that see and ears that hear.  

Read both accounts of the blind men encountering Jesus (Mark 8:22-26, 10:46-52).    

God’s word strikes the heart. What word or phrase touched your heart?  

Describe the difference in each man’s encounter with Jesus.  

What could have been lacking in the man who first saw with blurred vision? Why do you think Jesus told him not to return to the village?  

Ask this question in prayer: “Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Often, I’m blinded to all You desire to reveal to me. Please show me what I need to do to see with the eyes of faith.” Write down what Jesus shows you.