Spiritual blindness may be more common in our Western culture than spiritual sight. So many have been blinded by secular humanism, "the god of the present age" (2 Cor 4:4). If we are not totally blinded to our condition, we will cry out: "Jesus, Son of David, have pity" on us (Lk 18:38). No matter if we are as blind as the self-righteous Pharisee (Lk 18:9ff), the possession-possessed rich man (Lk 18:18ff), or even the self-centered, cross-denying apostles (Lk 18:31ff), we can have our spiritual sight restored. Jesus wants to say to us: "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you" (Lk 18:42).

Like Zacchaeus, we can have our eyes opened. Then, we will see that giving half of our belongings to the poor (Lk 19:8) makes more sense than saving and stockpiling our possessions. With our spiritual eyes opened, we will see that making justice and peace are higher priorities than making a profit (see Lk 19:8). When we let Jesus heal us of spiritual blindness, we will see there is so much more to life than what we can physically see. When Jesus heals us of our blindness, we will see God "as He is" (1 Jn 3:2). We will see the beatific vision. Therefore, cry "out all the more, 'Son of David, have pity on me!' " (Lk 18:39)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

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