Noah made two attempts to discover if the flood had abated. Jesus healed the blind man in two steps. Both stories seem to say that hope must be accompanied by patience and perseverance.

The Old Testament writers lived in a culture with a strong sense of symbolism. Therefore it is probably significant that Noah chose a dove to send out. This is the first mention of a dove in the Bible, and so there is no scriptural background for Noah's choice. However, the choice itself begins a long history of the dove as a symbol, especially in our Christian faith. In Noah's story the dove seems to symbolize peace: the dove had to discover whether God's wrath was at an end or not and whether humanity could be at peace with God again. Perhaps too the blind man's simple response to Jesus instead of a grumbling complaint is a sign of his peaceful acceptance of whatever Jesus can do for him. Hope must be accompanied by peace.

Today's Alleluia verse provides us with a very beautiful prayer to conclude this reflection - the more beautiful for being the Word of God: