three blind men
"A blind man sat at the side of the road begging." —Luke 18:35
Luke put his account of Jesus healing the blind man between the accounts of the young rich man and Zacchaeus. He implies all three were blind. The blind man was physically blind, while the young rich man and Zacchaeus were spiritually blind. All three blind men had the opportunity to be healed, but the young rich man refused to let Jesus open his eyes while the other two accepted healing.
The young rich man decided to stay spiritually blind because he wouldn't obey doctor's orders. When Doctor Jesus told him to sell all he had and give the money to the poor, he disobeyed (Lk 18:22). However, when Zacchaeus met Jesus, he "said to the Lord: 'I give half my belongings, Lord, to the poor. If I have defrauded anyone in the least, I pay him back fourfold' " (Lk 19:8).
Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind (Lk 4:18). He asks us: "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Lk 18:41) We should respond: "I want to see" (Lk 18:41). If we back up our statement by obeying the Lord, He will open our eyes spiritually. We will be convicted of sin, change our lifestyle dramatically, and begin to follow Jesus (Lk 18:43). All the people will witness this and they too will give praise to God (Lk 18:43).
Prayer: Father, open my eyes, even if I have to suffer to be healed.
Promise: "Many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die." —1 Mc 1:62-63
Praise: St. Gertrude became a saint who had a special devotion to the Eucharist. After Jesus appeared to her in a vision, she only read the Bible and the works of the Church fathers. She received many revelations from the Lord and wrote them down to build up the body of Christ.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 3, 2009
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