On January 18, 2026, His Grace Bishop Gerasim visited St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church and preached on the healing of the blind man near Jericho. He connected this Gospel to the witness of Saint Athanasius, who defended the truth that Jesus Christ is one Person, fully God and fully man. The way we read the Gospels depends on who we believe Christ is, and the Church’s faith keeps us from reducing Jesus to a mere teacher or miracle worker.

The blind man’s cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” shows bold faith. Even when the crowd tried to silence him, he kept praying until Christ stopped. And when Jesus asked what he wanted, the man asked for sight. Bishop Gerasim reminded us that Christ heals more than discomfort. He restores dignity, heals the whole person, and invites us into discipleship.

The healed man immediately followe ...