11/16/2026 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reading: 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.
11/16/2026 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 18:35-43
Theme: Seeing Beyond Our Circumstances
There are times in life when our greatest problem is not what we see with our eyes, but what we fail to see with our hearts. We may have perfect eyesight yet remain blind to the goodness around us. We may see opportunities but fail to recognize them. We may see people suffering but fail to notice their needs. And sometimes, we become so focused on our difficulties that we lose sight of God’s presence in our lives.
In the Gospel, we encounter a blind man sitting beside the road, begging for help. When he learned that Jesus was passing by, he began calling out for mercy. Although others tried to silence him, he refused to give up. His persistence caught the attention of Jesus, who restored his sight. This beautiful encounter teaches us important lessons about faith, hope, and the way we see life.
Let us use the word SIGHT as our guide.
S – Seek Jesus with Faith.
The blind man could not see Jesus, but he believed that Jesus could help him. His physical blindness did not prevent him from recognizing an opportunity for healing. This reminds us that faith does not depend on what our eyes can see. Sometimes, we cannot see a solution to our problems, understand our circumstances, or predict what tomorrow will bring. Nevertheless, we must continue seeking God, trusting that He sees what we cannot see.
I – Ignore Discouraging Voices.
People around the blind man told him to be quiet, but he refused to surrender to their discouragement. In our lives, we also encounter voices that weaken our confidence. Some people may tell us that our dreams are impossible, our efforts are useless, or our prayers will never be answered. We must learn to distinguish constructive advice from discouragement. Never allow negative voices to become stronger than your faith in God.
G – Give Your Burdens to God.
When Jesus called the blind man, he came forward and expressed his desire to receive his sight. He did not hide his condition or pretend that everything was fine. This teaches us to approach God honestly. We can bring Him our fears, disappointments, weaknesses, and unanswered questions. Prayer is not about pretending to be strong; it is about acknowledging that we need God’s strength.
H – Hold On to Hope.
The blind man’s persistence teaches us that hope must remain alive even when circumstances seem unfavorable. There are moments when healing takes time, prayers seem unanswered, and our struggles appear endless. But faith teaches us not to measure God’s goodness by the speed of His response. Continue praying, doing what is right, and believing that a better tomorrow is possible. Never let temporary difficulties destroy your lasting hope.
T – Testify Through Your Transformation.
After receiving his sight, the man did not simply return to his ordinary life. He followed Jesus and glorified God. His healing became a testimony that inspired others to praise God. In the same way, our blessings should lead us to gratitude and service. When God gives us strength, let us encourage the weak. When He gives us opportunities, let us help others. When He blesses our lives, let our actions become living testimonies of His goodness.
Brothers and sisters, the greatest blindness is not always the inability to see with our physical eyes. Sometimes, it is the inability to recognize God’s blessings, appreciate other people, forgive those who hurt us, or understand what truly matters in life.
May we learn to see beyond our problems, recognize God’s presence in our struggles, and discover opportunities to serve others.
Let us remember: When we seek Jesus with faith, ignore discouragement, give Him our burdens, hold on to hope, and testify through our transformation, we begin to see life through the eyes of faith.
And that is the true blessing of having SIGHT.
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