Monday November 17, 2025

As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.

Many years ago while I was living in Kitwe, Zambia I heard that an American priest was visiting. In fact this American priest was going to have a retreat at a Franciscan house in one of the townships. You could take two bus trips to get there or take the four or five hour journey on foot. A group of us boys set out walking to go see Fr. John Judie. He is a remarkable priest and he have us the best retreat ever. I still remember his holly some 35 years later. It was about little Mr Zacheaus who was up the tree and out on a limb.

We heard of a man of God and we saw it as our opportunity to meet our God present in this priest. The blind man hears about Our Lord and sees it as his moment of grace. I want you to make going to church personal. God is visiting your neighborhood, this is your opportunity to pour out your heart to him. Whatever church you go to, whatever inspirational song you listen to, see it as your moment of grace. Fr. John Judie changed my life, Fr. Ron Knott opened my eyes to the beauty of the word of God, Fr Brendon Moss taught me how to connect with people at mass, Fr. Pablo Hernandez taught me that God can be a friend.

This blind man would not let this moment pass by neither should you!!