Lent: With One VoiceSample

I WANT TO SEE

Bartimaeus may be blind, but he sees better than many of us with sight. He recognized that Jesus was the promised One, the Messiah, and he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ How did he know? Without distraction of things that are appealing to the sight, he tapped into his spiritual eyes, his faith, and saw things beyond the surface.

Jesus had compassion on him and said, ‘Go, your faith has made you well.’ What is the ‘faith’ that saved/healed the blind man? The opposite of faith is fear. A key characteristic of faith is fearlessness. Fearlessly (and loudly) the blind man shouted to Jesus, ‘Have mercy on me!’ What gives rise to fearlessness? It is the expectation that Jesus can and will do something. Do you believe that Jesus can help you with your need? Doubt not, let nothing keep you from pursuing Jesus’s mercy.

FOR REFLECTION
• If Jesus asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ what would you say? He is merciful and compassionate.
• What is holding you back from trusting Him?

PRAYER
Forgive me Father, for my blindness and my little faith. Enlighten me that I may see You for who You are. With You I know my needs will be met. Empower me to follow You wherever You lead, even if it means an uphill road from Jericho to the cross in Jerusalem.