Reflection
Today’s gospel bristles with so much energy it’s as if it comes to life right before our eyes. Jesus is entering Jericho, about twenty miles northeast of Jerusalem where he will be condemned to death, tortured, and crucified. At this point in his ministry, Jesus cannot go anywhere unnoticed, so as he makes his way through the dusty streets of Jericho, a crowd quickly gathers. Sitting on the side of the road is a blind man, begging. We can imagine he’s spent many days beseeching assistance from anyone who might help him; but he knows from the noise of the crowd that this day is different, so he asks what is going on and is told, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
What happens next is fascinating. Upon hearing that Jesus is about to pass right before him, the blind man bellows,
“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The irony is striking because the blind man’s response testifies that he, who cannot see, is the one person in the story who recognizes that Jesus is not just a carpenter’s son from the tiny village of Nazareth, but indeed the son of God. It’s precisely because he sees so clearly who Jesus is that he will not let the crowd silence him. He knows his life depends on encountering Jesus and will not let this singular opportunity be denied him; thus, from the depths of his being, he screams out all the louder: “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus asks him the question that we need to imagine Jesus asking us: “What do you want me to do for you?”
It is no surprise that the blind man answers, “Lord, please let me see,” and no surprise that Jesus gives him sight.
But perhaps what is surprising is that the blind man knows Jesus can do something far more important for him than restoring his sight, because the first thing he does when he can see is not to run off to celebrate with his family and friends, but to become Jesus’ disciple, joyously doing what all of us are called to do: follow Jesus and give glory to God. Whenever that happens, like the blind man, our sight will be fully restored.
