“Now as he 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.” (Luke 18:35-43 NABRE)

We must follow the example set for us by the blind beggar in today’s Gospel. Sometimes our spiritual blindness keeps us from seeing Jesus and the work He’s doing in our lives. Maybe you’re experiencing this right now… you know that Jesus is with you and that He’s close, but you just can’t seem to see Him.

Like the beggar, we must call out to Jesus with all our hearts, and with all our strength. Even when others rebuke us for our faith and tell us not to pursue the Lord, we must seek Him out all the more. We must trust that Jesus will hear us when we call, and that He will approach us in our weakness, and heal us of our spiritual blindness.

After the beggar was healed, he followed Jesus and gave glory to God. May we do the same.

I encourage you to apply this Gospel passage to your life today by having a heart-to-heart with Jesus. Take a few moments to be in His presence, and to tell Him what’s on your mind. Like the beggar, faithfully trust that Jesus will hear you, and that He’ll respond with love.

It is no small detail that in this passage an entire crowd was following Jesus, but He stopped for the one who called to Him. So, will you, too, make the effort to call out to Jesus?