When was the last time that you call have pitty on me?

Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, means the son of the unclean, the son of sin.

In this, we see the direction the Gospel leads us—not to focus on physical blindness, but on the blindness caused by sin.

Saint Thomas Aquinas says, “Wherefore lust gives rise to blindness of mind, which excludes almost entirely the knowledge of spiritual things” (ST II-II, q.15, a.3).

Sin fixes our hearts and minds on the things of this world, making us incapable of seeing and seeking God.

Herein lies the problem: it’s easy to recognize physical blindness, but a person who is spiritually blind often cannot see their own condition.

Pride makes us think that everything we do is right.

I know someone who was upset because, after 18 years living in an English-speaking country, he was sent back to study English. He believed that merely listening and living in the English would make him skilled for English.

Sometimes we are like that. We hear the Gospel and attend Mass, calling ourselves Christians, but just as learning a new language requires practice, so does living out the Gospel.

You might wonder how to identify blind spots in your Christian life. Ask Jesus and do an examination of conscience.

When I arrived here, I was proud of my nearly 18 years of driving experience, but when I went to apply for a license, they told me I had to prove that I knew how to drive.

When they gave me the manual, I had to admit that had driving so bad and need start again.

How can we know if we are spiritually blind?

When was your last confession? When did you last examine your conscience? More importantly, when was the last time you felt sorrow in your heart for having offended Jesus?

If it has been months or years since your last good confession—one made with deep sorrow—perhaps you are like me, driving through life thinking you have a lot of experience.

When was your last confession, brother? When was the last time you cried out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me”?

Jesus, have mercy on us; do not let us fall into spiritual blindness.

I fear Jesus both as He passes by and as He remains, and for this reason, I cannot remain silent.