Gospel LK 18:35-43
As Jesus 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, be compassionate 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.
When we travel to a new place that we had not seen before, we go sightseeing monuments, landscapes, museums, etc. Thank you, Lord, for my eyes and for the power to see.
That which prevents us from seeing the truth is spiritual blindness! We remember what Pilate asked Jesus: "What is truth?"
What is the value of truth? What is the role that truth has in our daily lives? In politics, in the military, in commerce, in education, in social media, in religion, in medicine, in science. We like Pilate, still are asking today: "What is truth? "If one day Jesus declared: "I am the truth, the way, and the life..." How do we relate to that statement today? What did Jesus mean by that statement?
The blindness of the man sitting by the roadside, near Jericho, serves as a metaphor to reflect on other types of blindness. The blindness many suffer today is either self-imposed or imposed by those who control knowledge and do not want the truth of things to bee seen as indeed and are. We too can shout: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us, who are suffering from blindness." Remember that a long time ago, Plato realized that all we see are shadows of reality. Also, we appear to be contempt with that. It was his disciple Socrates who epitomizes the truth seekers when he declared: "I know now that I do not know."
The blind man from Jericho wanted to see again. However, let us stop for a moment and inquire: What is it that the blind man wanted to see again? Moreover, why is he asking Jesus to give him back his ability or power to see again? First question, Internally the blind man is not blind, because he knows that Jesus can help him see again. How did he know that Jesus had the power to restore the sense of sight to men again?
Jesus still have the power to restore in us the power to see. When he asked the blind man: "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man of the Gospel first acknowledges that Jesus is the Lord. He says: "Lord, let me see." If we see Jesus as the Lord, as the blind man did, we already see the truth. This act of ours appears to be the first step to see the truth: Jesus is the Lord. However, how someone who does not know it may come to know it?
Imagine for a moment: What would happen if all world leaders recognize Jesus as Lord? What kind of society would result if world leaders and legislators recognize Jesus as the Lord?
Many men and women throughout history have recognized Jesus as the Lord. Also, many have paid with their lives — for example, the teenage José Sanchez del Rio, and many others.
There is only one Lord Jesus, but many interpretations of Jesus.
In the Christian creed, Jesus is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Unfortunately, there are false interpretations of Jesus that we have seen developed throughout history.
Jesus Himself said who He is: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. My Father and I are the same. Remain in me, because without me, you can do nothing. I am the Resurrection and the Life. You call me Lord and do that rightly. I am the Good Shepherd He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I am the Alpha and the Omega. Come to me all blessed by my Father and inherit the kingdom prepared for you. Etc.
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