Jas 1:19-27/Psa 15:2-5/Mark 8:22-26.
Authentic religion highlights human frailty and divine perfection and the need for their link.
Religion exists as an individual or a group of people is attached to, linked up or connected to a deity with faith and obedience to revealed laws and commandments.
Therefore, based on a relationship known and called a covenant, the faithful adherents of religion dispose of themselves to receive divine care through guidance, protection and nourishment.
Consequently, the covenant/religious life fulfills a dual purpose, namely: the salvation of the souls of the members; and their formation into authentic disciples.
In the excerpt from his Letter, Apostle James identified pure and undefiled religion with the above two aims (First Reading).
To keep oneself uncontaminated by the world is the fruit of salvation while caring for orphans and widows in their distress is from the formation one received (ibid).
Both for salvation and formation, he identified the role of the word of God, asking us to be quick to listen and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save souls (ibid).
Like fallen humans who are saved through faith and religious formation, the blind man meets Jesus, incarnate word of God, who leads him through a gradual process to sight (Gospel).
