The readings this week challenge us to reflect both on the ways we might be blind, and on the gift of new vision that is freely offered.

In the First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of a God who gathers his people to heal them.

The Psalm sings of these and other wonderful works: ‘The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy’.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews (Second Reading) shows that the high priest is one called by God to deal gently with the people, because he himself knows weakness.

And in the Gospel, Jesus calls Bartimaeus, a blind beggar of Jericho, to him into discipleship. Though blind, Bartimaeus already has insight into who Jesus is and, when he hears him pass by, shouts in desperation even when told to be quiet. For Bartimaeus, Jesus is now ‘Master’, and his relationship with him brings healing and new life.

Let’s pray, this week, that we might recognise the great things the Lord works for us, and that our hope lies in God, who calls to us through our weaknesses and limitations.