believing is seeing
"At that very moment he was given his sight and began to follow Him." —Luke 18:43
Jesus' healing of the blind beggar of Jericho is preceded by the young rich man's rejection of Jesus and followed by Zacchaeus' acceptance of Him. Jesus healed not only the physically blind but also those spiritually blinded by the god of the present age, the god of a pleasure-seeking lifestyle and greed (2 Cor 4:4).
The love of money is the root of all evil, including spiritual blindness (1 Tm 6:10). For example, the Pharisees were "blind guides" and "blind fools" (Mt 23:16-17) because they "were avaricious men" (Lk 16:14). We can act like the young rich man. We can refuse to let Jesus heal us of our blindness, and walk away sad (Mk 10:22). Conversely, we can be like Zacchaeus. Jesus will open our eyes and our hearts. We will give half or more of our possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8). The day we are healed of spiritual blindness, salvation will have truly come to our house (Lk 19:9).
Even if you're blind to being blind, by faith draw close to Jesus today and pray: "Lord, I want to see" (see Lk 18:41). Jesus will answer: "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you" (Lk 18:42).
Prayer: Lord, I want to see today, no matter what.
Promise: "Happy is the man who reads this prophetic message, and happy are those who hear it and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near!" —Rv 1:3
Praise: St. Albert, a Doctor of the Church, was a brilliant scientist. During World War II, Pope Pius XII named Albert the patron of students of natural sciences, perhaps prophesying that Albert's intercession can lead scientists to find ways to stop war rather than help wage war. St. Albert, pray for us.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Spiritual Blindness on audio AV 65-1 or video V-65.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004