This blog follows the daily bible readings of the Catholic Church
Reading 1, Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
1 A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him so that he could tell his servants what is now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, 2 and John has borne witness to the Word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw.
3 Blessed is anyone who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed those who hear them, if they treasure the content, because the Time is near.
4 John, to the seven churches of Asia: grace and peace to you from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 1 ‘Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives among the seven golden lamp-stands: 2 I know your activities, your hard work and your perseverance. I know you cannot stand wicked people, and how you put to the test those who were self-styled apostles, and found them false. 3 I know too that you have perseverance, and have suffered for my name without growing tired. 4 Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make: you have less love now than formerly. 5 Think where you were before you fell; repent, and behave as you did at first, or else, if you will not repent, I shall come to you and take your lamp-stand from its place.

The book of the Revelation is a great and meaningful writing which is often misinterpreted by cranks or neglected by sensible Christians. The revelation takes place for a man called John who is exiled on the island of Patmos because of his faith. It is directed to the seven churches of the Roman province of Asia, which are symbolised by seven lamp-stands and seven stars. Scholars connect this book with the Gospels and Letters of John.
The message to the church at Ephesus depicts a church which has faithfully maintained faith in Jesus, but has become dutiful rather than enthusiastic. The Spirit of Jesus reminds the believers of the love they once had and asks for its rediscovery, knowing that if love is lost, everything else may follow.
Individual and corporate love of Jesus is often neglected in the more sober denominations of the church. It should be cultivated even if it is not expressed in “charismatic” worship or passionate piety.

Gospel, Luke 18:35-43
35 Now it happened that as he drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, 37 and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. 38 So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’
39 The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’
40 Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, 41 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied, ‘let me see again.’ 42 Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’
43 And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God.

John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, was in charge of slave ships, until he changed

The blind man’s language expresses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah who is able to heal him, for which reason he is depicted by Luke as a model for all believers. In our blindness we trust the compassionate Christ to open our eyes. When he does so, we are ready to follow his way. The faith that saves is trust in Jesus as the one sent by God to cure our blindness. Our discipleship is a consequence of our salvation. Did Jesus actually heal physical blindness? Luke assumes so, but he is more interested in the story as an image of faith and discipleship. “I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.” (John Newton)
More than anything else, as I look back on my life, I’m struck by my blindness: my ignorance of myself, of others, of God. I cringe at things I did and said in blind confidence. Being able to see is not always pleasant.