Hoping that sight could be restored to allow him to live a normal life, the blind man at the Jericho gate called out in prayer, “Son of David, have mercy on me!!” If he could get his sight back, he knew it would change things for him and he would again have to work for his living, but he seemed eager to face whatever new horizons might open up for him. When Jesus, who was on a journey, asked him to state his request, he said simply, “Lord, let me see again!” and once he regained his sight, he began to follow Jesus, with a new focus to his life. He could now see his wife and children and his neighbors, all of whom thanked God for the healing miracle.
Our own vision may be excellent, even without Spec savers, but we too can benefit from a version of the blind man’s prayer, “Lord, let me see your will more clearly. Help me to follow you along the road.”
My Need for Jesus
Perhaps we may need conversion, like the Christians in Ephesus who were gently reproached by Our Lord, “You have turned aside from your early love. Repent and return to your former deeds.” By examining our conscience, we can discern whether this call to conversion applies to us too. Those murmured words may revive the memory of some early ideals, now discarded, to which we should return. This awakening of conscience can be welcomed by married people, by religious and priests, by men and women in all walks of life, “You have turned aside from your early love. Repent, and return to your former ways.”
Jesus asks me “What is happening?” Is there anything of lasting importance happening in my life? May I be alert, Lord, as you pass by. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks me this every day! But do I want anything, or is my soul only half-alive?
How is life going for you? Did you ever feel that you have lost something that once was precious to you? Often, we are afraid to turn to the Lord to ask him to restore or compensate us in some way that would give us life again. To turn to God when we are suffering loss is a great act of faith and trust.
Called to Be Like Jesus
The story models for us also the value of responding to the call of the present moment. Let’s not be so fixated on our destination as to ignore where we are. What we might first think seem like interruptions can actually be where we can do a worthwhile service in the name of the Lord.
