Today’s gospel says, “As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth , he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me’”. (Mk.10:46-47).

Jesus heard his cry and called him and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk.10:51) There is little need for such an enquiry. Jesus knew the thought that was uppermost in the blind man’s heart. Then why did he ask him the question? Just in order to give him the opportunity of presenting his petition and making known his wants in his own words. Jesus seems to tell, the wealth of the world is mine; the power of omnipotence is mine; the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are mine. Ask and you shall receive; what you want, provided it is really expedient for you and conducive to Divine glory.

The blind man said to him, “my Teacher, let me see again.” The blind man was not afraid to make a big request. Jesus said to him, “go, your faith has made you well. Immediately he regained his sight, and followed him on the way”. (Mk.10:52) It is easy to understand the situation of the blind man. He had faith.

Giving sight to the blind man is one of those signs which Jesus of Nazareth worked during his public ministry. It is particularly an eloquent sign. We must have faith like the blind man in the gospel. To have faith in Jesus means to acknowledge his identity, to embrace his message, to respond to his love and to resolve to follow him totally.

Christ often reproached the Pharisees for their spiritual blindness. He complained that they had eyes but did not see at all. Is He reproaching us?

Jesus is the light of the world. He is not afraid to say “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).

Now Christ passes near to us everyday as he passed near to the blind man of Jericho. He invites us to come closer to him as he invited Bartimaeus to come close to him. Let us acknowledge our spiritual blindness, our misery and powerlessness. Let us have faith that Jesus can cure our spiritual blindness. Like the blind man, let us ask: “Lord, let us see”. Let us see the splendor of your message that enlightens our lives.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Chris