As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" 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!" Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
While reading this Gospel, it strikes me how simple this healing was: The blind man called for Jesus. Jesus asked what he wanted. “Lord, please let me see!” Miracle granted, disciple won over.
Of course, the concrete circumstances make life a bit more complex than this. But, if we take several steps back, it all comes back to simple and straightforward patterns like this one. We make things complicated, things often are very complicated. But deep down the core is simple. I guess if you are blind you cease to see all the peripheral circumstances and concentrate on the fundamental needs. Only if you stop staring at the surface can you see into the depth. This is why we sometimes have to become “blind,” have to close our eyes and remove all the distraction around us: images, noise, worries, tasks, expectations… So often they block our vision and blind us for what is important.
So, become a blind man for just a few minutes now. One by one, lose sight of the circumstances and become blind to all which is blinding you. As night thus falls around you, start to make out the stars. There is a special light of the night. A light which makes you see with the heart where your eyes fail. A light which makes you see spiritual things. Today, contemplate the spiritual beauty which you fail to notice in the bright daylight. “LORD, PLEASE LET ME SEE!” He invites you into this “night” often. Sometimes, when you resist too much, He outright throws you into it. Learn how to see and move in this night. let Jesus guide you. Let Him grant you sight, grant that your faith may save you -- just as it did for your friend, the blind man.
