A reading from the gospel according to Luke 18:35-43
35 As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
36 and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
39 The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”
40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
42 Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
43 He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Reflection: Persistence
In seeking Jesus, a blind man (named Bartimaeus in the gospel of Mark) did not allow any hindrance such as people who wanted to silence him. He was focused on his desire to be healed so he kept on calling out Jesus all the more. His effort paid-off after Jesus listened and granted his petition. This is the power of persistence not just in prayer but in all human endeavors. Nothing is a hindrance for the persistent person.
In John 20:29, Jesus told Thomas and the other apostles that those who believe even if they cannot see are blessed. Bartimaeus believed in Jesus even before he could see Him. In the end, he received his blessing of sight. Jesus specifically told him that his faith saved him. Indeed, nothing is impossible for those who believed.
After getting his sight, Bartimaeus gave glory to God and followed Jesus. The people who saw the miracle also gave praises to God. We all receive many blessings every day in our life. Yet we don’t see them because we are in a way blind. Let us ask the Lord for the gift of sight that we may see His goodness and mercy. Moreover, let us develop the attitude of gratitude. Let us learn to give credit to whom it is due. All our blessings come from God. Let us thank Him, praise Him and give Him all glory that He truly deserved.
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In this Gospel narrative, we encounter the story of a blind man sitting by the roadside in Jericho. This man, unable to see, depended on his other senses to know what was happening around him. When he heard the crowd bustling with excitement, he asked what was happening and learned that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Seizing the opportunity, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite the people telling him to be quiet, he shouted even louder, determined to gain Jesus’ attention.
This passage is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we approach Jesus with unwavering faith and persistence. In the face of opposition, this man’s faith gave him the courage to call out, knowing that Jesus was his one hope for healing. His bold persistence serves as an encouragement to us today. Sometimes, we may find ourselves in “blind” situations where we can’t see a way out of our struggles or know what lies ahead. In these moments, like the blind man, we have the choice to cry out to Jesus, trusting that He hears us and has the power to bring transformation.
Jesus stopped, asked for the man to be brought to Him, and then lovingly inquired, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man responded with clarity, “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus responded, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Instantly, his sight was restored, and he followed Jesus, glorifying God.
This story reveals Jesus’ heart to stop and listen to those who seek Him sincerely. It encourages us to bring our specific requests to Him openly. Jesus is attentive to the cries of His people and welcomes us to express our needs, trusting that He is not only able but willing to respond.
The man’s healing also shows the power of faith. Jesus emphasized, “Your faith has healed you.” Faith doesn’t guarantee that every prayer will be answered in the way we envision, but it aligns us with God’s ability to work in our lives. Through faith, we open the door for His will to be done. The man’s persistence and faith were met with divine grace, and his life was forever changed.
This miracle led to more than just personal transformation. Upon receiving his sight, the man immediately glorified God and followed Jesus, sparking praise from the crowd who witnessed the miracle. This shows how our faith-filled encounters with Jesus can become testimonies that inspire others and lead them to glorify God.
When we find ourselves needing help, healing, or hope, let’s remember the blind man’s example. In moments of uncertainty, may we cry out with boldness, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” When we do, we can trust that He hears us and desires to respond in love. Let us bring our needs to Him with faith, knowing that our stories of healing and transformation can be testimonies that reflect His glory to others.
