(Hint: To do this challenge, you'll need some room to spread out.)
Preparation
This activity is designed to simulate the two levels of blindness: physical and spiritual. Blindfolds will represent physical blindness while running backward will represent spiritual blindness. The idea is to let the activity bridge the two types of blindness in this Gospel.
Preparation begins with choosing an appropriate site for a relay race (walking, running, in wheelchairs--adapt the race to suit participants). Mark a masking tape line as a starting line for Team One, and alongside that line mark an identical line for Team Two. Approximately 10 to 20 yards away, mark two lines parallel to the starting lines. This will serve as the midpoint line for each team.
Gather four blindfolds and place two at the starting lines and two at the midpoint lines. During the first relay, only Team Two will be blindfolded.
Instructions Begin the activity by dividing participants into two teams. Invite half of each team to the starting line and the other half of each team to the midpoint line. Ask participants to line up in single file behind the masking tape lines. Explain that they will be competing in a relay race. The first person at each starting line will walk (or run or wheel) to the midpoint line and tag the first person at their team's midpoint line. That person will walk (or run, etc.) to the starting line and tag the next person. This pattern will continue until each member of the team has had the opportunity to participate. The first team that finishes is the winner.
Continue explaining that each team will be given special challenges during the relays. Team One must run backward the entire relay. Team Two will also run backward during the relay; however,
Team Two will also be blindfolded. These folks must rely on the voice of their teammates to direct them to the next person waiting in line. Explain that two blindfolds have been placed at the starting line and two at the midpoint line so that teammates can prepare the blindfolded racers more quickly. Encourage Team Two to immediately remove the blindfold from the finished racer and quickly place it on a teammate waiting to race. If done efficiently, there will be one blindfolded racer will be ready to race before the current racer reaches him/her.
Expect a great deal of protest from Team Two. Without commenting, invite the first racer at the starting line and the first racer at the midpoint line to place the blindfolds over their eyes. When the blindfolds are secure, begin the relay.
Race!
After the relay, congratulate Team One as the winners. Invite participants to express any feelings or thoughts they may have had about the fairness of the race. After discussion, announce there will be a second relay. Invite the same teams to line up as before. Announce that Team One will again race backward during the relay. Team Two, however, will be able to race freely with no handicaps whatsoever. When finished, congratulate Team Two and lead the group to the reflection site. Distribute copies of the Gospel reading. Read the Gospel aloud and discuss some of the following questions.
Connecting the Activity to the Bible
• How did you feel being blindfolded and having to run backward in the activity?
• How do you suppose the blind man in the Gospel felt having to beg in the streets?
• How did you feel having the blindfolds removed and being allowed to run forward?
• How do you suppose the blind man felt being healed by Jesus?
• How did the blind man respond to Jesus after being healed?
• Besides being healed physically, how else did the blind man change in the Gospel?
• In what ways were the Pharisees spiritually blind?
• For Team One, how did you feel when the other team was able to remove the blindfolds and allowed to run forward while you still had a disadvantage?
• Why do you suppose the Pharisees refused to believe the blind man?
Connecting the Gospel to Everyday Life
• What are some common everyday miracles people may overlook in their busy lives?
• What are some examples of how people today are afraid of saying what they really believe?
• What are some examples of spiritual sight and spiritual blindness?
• What have you discovered from this Gospel and how can you apply it to your life?
• In the next few days, what are ways to witness your faith even when others challenge what you believe?
For more ideas, visit awakeningtheword@yahoo.com.
