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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
BLINDNESS is not always a matter of the eyes. A person may enjoy perfect
vision yet fail to recognize what truly matters. We can become so absorbed in our plans,
worries, ambitions, and routines that we no longer notice the presence of God quietly
passing through our ordinary day.
That is why the story of the blind beggar near Jericho remains so relevant. It
reminds us that the greatest sight we can ever receive is the grace to recognize Christ
and to follow him with confidence wherever he leads.
The Gospel for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time (Lk. 18:35-43)
presents a man who possessed very little in terms of material wealth. He depended on
the kindness of others, yet he had something many around him lacked. He knew who
Jesus was and believed that only he could truly change his life.
When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he refused to remain silent. He cried
out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those words were more than an
emotional plea. They were a sincere profession of faith in the promised Messiah.
Though unable to see with his eyes, he recognized with his heart the One whom
many with perfect eyesight failed to recognize. Spiritual vision often comes before
physical sight. A humble and believing heart sees what pride and self-sufficiency can
easily miss.
The crowd tried to silence him. They saw him as a nuisance, someone unworthy
of attention. But instead of giving up, he shouted even louder. His persistence teaches
us one of the greatest lessons about prayer.
Real prayer does not disappear when God seems silent or when obstacles arise.
It perseveres because it trusts that the Lord hears every sincere cry. Genuine prayer is
less about forcing God's hand than about refusing to stop trusting his love.
Many of us become discouraged after a few unanswered prayers. We may think
that God is no longer listening or that our concerns are too small. Yet the Gospel
encourages us to continue asking, seeking, and knocking with patient confidence.
When Jesus stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" the blind
man answered simply, "Lord, let me receive my sight." He knew exactly what he
needed. Prayer becomes powerful when we approach God with honesty, humility, and
trust.
Jesus answered, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." The miracle was
not magic but the fruit of a living encounter with Christ. Faith opens the heart to God's
transforming grace and removes the barriers created by fear, doubt, and self-reliance.
The healing immediately changed the man's life. He did not simply enjoy his
restored vision and return to his old routine. The Gospel tells us that he followed Jesus,
glorifying God. That is the true purpose of every grace we receive.
An authentic encounter with Christ always leads to discipleship. God's gifts are
never meant to end with ourselves. They are invitations to love him more faithfully, serve
others more generously, and become living witnesses to his goodness.
The people who witnessed the miracle also gave praise to God. Faith has a quiet
but powerful way of spreading from one heart to another. A transformed life often
becomes the strongest testimony to the presence and action of Christ.
The blind beggar's story is also ours. We all carry areas of blindness and
moments of discouragement. Yet if we recognize Christ with the eyes of faith, persevere
in prayer, and faithfully follow him once he answers us, our lives too will become a joyful
witness of gratitude, hope, and enduring discipleship.
