Shifting the focus from Jesus as healer to the blind individuals he healed, this essay reconsiders the representation of blindness in the Synoptic Gospels through the comparative lens of Greek documentary papyri. Inthese texts, the term upXos ("blind") appears only rarely-and never as a self-designation-while alternative expressions such as O 15vaios iois op0aX & micro;ois ("unable in the eyes") or those from the word family of a60sv w pound ("to be weak/sick") point to more neutral ways of describing visual impairment. Such linguistic choices open questions about how blindness was perceived, whether made visible as a marker of identity or deliberately masked to avoid stigma. By placing Gospel accounts alongside papyrological evidence, the study draws attention to issues of anonym-ity, mendicancy, and gender, offering a fresh perspective on the cultural and lived dimensions of blindness in the ancient world.
In ancient medical ethics, dialogue between patient and physician was regarded as essential for the success of therapy. This essay examines psychological and practical factors that could undermine such dialogue. Feelings of shame and fear often prevented patients from speaking openly about their condition, while reluctance or noncompliance could jeopardize treatment. Physicians, in turn, had to face omissions, concealments, or even deliberate resistance, which complicated both diagnosis and care. By addressing these challenges, the essay highlights the fragility of the patient-physician relationship and the importance of trust in ancient medical practice.
The mother of the sons of Zebedee is a character who only appears in the Gospel of Matthew, on the occasion of the request formulated for the benefit of her sons (20,20-23) and among the women at the foot of the cross (27,56). By integrating this woman into his narration, Matthew reversed the negative connotation of the request. Rather than considering her as a stooge of her sons, Matthew's logic leads to understanding her as a woman disciple of Jesus, ready to follow him to the cross. Moreover, she accompanies her sons in their commitment to following Jesus, in the perspective of the gift of their life.
It was no secret that toward the end of his life, Edward Schillebeeckx had intended to write a new book, returning to the topic of sacramental theology, which he had not substantively addressed since his very earliest work. This work was never completed before his death. By careful examination of the archived material from this period of work, we identify the key themes and directions from which he was intending to develop this project. In particular, we identify the connection Schillebeeckx makes between creation theology and the sacraments, and his thoroughly optimistic view on the human condition and its capacity for cooperation with the divine. Nonetheless, we note that the progress he appears to have made towards the book he indicated he was writing on the topic is quite limited. Based on his work, we provide some initial indications of how these themes might provide important avenues for further reflection in the study of Schillebeeckx, and for sacramental theology more generally.
