First reading Apocalypse 1:1-4,2:1-5
Think what you were before you fell, and repent
This is the revelation given by God to Jesus Christ so that he could tell his servants about the things which are now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, and John has written down everything he saw and swears it is the word of God guaranteed by Jesus Christ. Happy the man who reads this prophecy, and happy those who listen to him, if they treasure all that it says, because the Time is close.
From John, to the seven churches of Asia: grace and peace to you from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits in his presence before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me: ‘Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives surrounded by the seven golden lamp-stands: I know all about you: how hard you work and how much you put up with. I know you cannot stand wicked men, and how you tested the impostors who called themselves apostles and proved they were liars. Know, too, that you have patience, and have suffered for my name without growing tired. Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make; you have less love now than you used to. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and do as you used to at first.”’
Responsorial Psalm 1:1-4,6
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the Lord
and meditates on his law day and night.
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the Lord watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Gospel Luke 18:35-43
‘Son of David, have pity on me’
As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.
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Seeing again
“Sir, let me see again.” The blind man’s request to Jesus is notable for its simplicity and wisdom. He asks for what he truly needs, not just physical sight but also a vision of faith. That is why he turns to Jesus, rather than anyone else. Pope Francis wrote, “Faith does not merely gaze at Jesus but sees things as Jesus Himself sees them, with His own eyes: it is a participation in His way of seeing” (Lumen Fidei 18). The blind man wants to see the world again differently – in faith.
Do we see the same need? We often need to look again at a situation, an experience, a specific person or even ourselves with new eyes of faith. As we pray, let us listen to Jesus asking personally: “What do you want Me to do for you?” Like the blind man, let us ask Jesus to teach us how to see with humility, hope, and patience, learning to recognise the good that is present before noticing the lack.
Reflective question:
How is Jesus teaching me to see again?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
