God promises to provide a “level road so that none shall stumble.” What stumbling blocks do I experience on my spiritual journey?

"Master, I want to see.” Bartimaeus’ moving words could very well be the deep desire of the people you face in church, who want healing, who want to believe with all their heart and follow the Lord.

Bartimaeus follows Jesus up the road—”on the way” in some translations, the Way being a code word for the Christian journey.

Why are we unwilling to ask to see things more clearly in our lives? What relationship needs to be reformed? What personal issue or concern needs to be confronted? What will change our lives dramatically if we are only able to see through it more clearly?

I sat slumped in my pew listening to the drone of the deacon’s sermon. “How do I always get this guy?” I carped to myself. “Please don’t lecture us. Must you sap the life out of every gospel?” the uncharitable complaining inside my head continued.

I wanted to see a different and better way of acting. I wanted to see what I had done wrong and a way to make it right.

Our Lord stands ready to help us, who have faith in him. With rejoicing let us seek the Lord in prayer.

Though he is blind, Bartimaeus recognizes who Jesus really is: the “Son of David.”

Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light. . . . More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlight-ened us.  —Saint Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-c. 215)