Today’s gospel is a moving scene: a blind man by the side of the road, begging. The only way he had to live was by asking for food, alms or other contributions.  In those times, a blind man couldn’t make a living on his own and had to depend on others to care for him.

As he sits by the side of the road, calling out plaintively for help, he hears and feels the presence of a huge crowd coming on, noisy and excited.  “What’s going on?” he wonders and has to ask those around him.  When they tell him Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, he begs again, this time to Jesus.

“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”  Embarrassed leaders in the crowd hush him but he persists and repeats his cry.  When he is brought to Jesus, this blind beggar drops at his feet and Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The man answers and Jesus grants it, saying that the man’s faith had saved him.

Today Jesus is asking each one of us, “What do you want me to do for you?”  It’s a question that can shape our day today and our lives tomorrow.  Each one of us has some need that can be met, some weakness that can be strengthened or some wound that needs healing.  Where in our lives can Jesus touch us?  What is the one thing we can stand before Jesus and ask for?  

In today’s gospel, Jesus bent over the humble beggar and healed him with love and compassion.  It’s the same way he will answer the needs we bring him today, bending over us, touching us gently and lovingly and helping us to see.  

What was the beggar’s reaction when he was healed?  “At that very moment he was given his sight and began to follow him, giving God the glory.”  That, too can be our answer, to follow more closely the life Jesus led, to love and heal others with our loving response, to bend down with compassion to those who need our love.  

When I meet Jesus today, he will ask me what I want.  How will I answer?