Biblical stories of the blind, deaf, and mute being healed always have a deeper meaning. It is a two-way, willing and open interaction. However, far more serious than physical blindness, deafness and an inability to speak are being spiritually blind, deaf and mute. The Pharisees who are always in critique of Jesus' good deeds represent such people. They are blind because they cannot see or do not want to see God at work in Jesus and in the lives of those who allowed Jesus to touch them in their desperation and vulnerability. They are deaf because they do not hear or do not want to understand what Jesus says. As a result, they are also mute because they cannot speak the words of life that Jesus gives them. Here, it is a monologue interaction - I dictate, you execute.

Blessing is a two - way interaction. The wrestling between Jacob and the man at Penuel ended with a blessing and a sense of liberation to Jacob from his guilt of robbing the blessing which Esau rightly deserved. From then on, a change of name to Israel is a definitive blessing to Jacob's lineage.

Behind all the deeds that Jesus performs is his deep compassion for the needs of the people. He sees them harassed and dejected, wandering and aimless, like sheep without a guiding shepherd. Jesus commissions us, like shepherds, to gather the wanderers and aimless and impart God's plenitude blessings in a discerning way.