Friday, March 21, 2003
Friday, March 21, 2003
Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
This uncanny ability is called "blindsight." It turns out these people theoretically have superb
vision, but they don't know they can see, according to Anthony Marcel, a psychologist at
Cambridge University who has done research on blindsight. The brain damage that has
rendered these patients blind is not in those areas that have to do with seeing per se.
Technically their vision is fine. What their eye sees, however, is never transmitted to the part of
the brain that brings vision into awareness. They can see--they just don't know it.
Having eyes--but unable to see. Do we see the needs of the world God has called you to?
(Isaiah 43.8
NRSV)
Have you heard of a phenomenon called "blindsight?" Studies show that certain blind
people--sightless as the result of stroke or brain injury, rather than damage to the eye--can do a
remarkable thing. If an object is put in front of them and if they are asked to reach for the object,
they will say it is impossible, since they cannot see it. But if they can be persuaded to TRY, they
will find the object with a sureness that amazes even themselves.
Lord Jesus, you can see into the depths of my heart. Forgive me, and help me to share your love
with action. Amen.
