In our first reading, Jeremiah the servant of the Lord, offers to the people of Israel, a message of comfort, consolation and restoration. In his words:
“For thus says the LORD; shout for joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people…Behold, I will bring them back…I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst.”
This prophecy was directed at the people of Israel in exile but finds fulfillment in the gospel of today through the healing ministry of Christ Jesus.
The Psalmist prayed: “The LORD had done great things for us…Restore again our fortunes, Lord.” Indeed, Jesus restored the fortunes of the blind man in the gospel. The Lord has done great things for him.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God. So also, Jesus Christ, who was told, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you.” 
Dear young men and women here, is the Lord calling you to the priesthood and religious life? The diocese is in need of more priests for spreading the gospel.
In the gospel of today, Jesus Christ was leaving Jericho with his disciples with a sizable crowd and Bartimaeus, a blind man cried out and said, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” This is a deep theological statement. This man asked for mercy from Jesus, he recognized him as God. He is physically blind but spiritually he can see. And many people rebuked him. But he kept crying out all the more. Jesus called and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
He said, “Master, I want to see.” And Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
What lessons can we take away from this encounter?
 
First, this man was blind, a physical condition that limited his movement and seeing ability. The crowd rebuked him/discouraged him. He refused to give up and cried out the more. This teaches us that we may face challenges/difficulties/trials in life but we should not give up on the Lord Jesus Christ because he hears and knows our conditions. This man persevered and was rewarded with the restoration of his eyes. Perseverance in spiritual life is very important. In spiritual life, one can see physically and be blind. This can happen when a person is in sin, unable to see and obey the holy will of God. When evil, vices or sinful habit or behavior keeps a person from God, such a person is spiritually blind and needs to come to Jesus in the Sacrament of Confession. Remember the great song, Amazing Grace, I was once blind but now I can see. The man when asked to come by Jesus threw his clothe/cloak away, what does this means spiritually? The clothe is a symbol of sin that we must cast away for intimate relation with Christ. Remember the song: Are you wash in the blood? Cast away the garments that are stained by sin. 
Jesus told the blind man, “Go your way, your faith has saved you.” This is an invitation to have faith in the power of Jesus Christ. We must trust him as we pray and call upon him for help. The man immediately received his sight and followed Jesus as a disciple on the way.  From healing, to praise to discipleship to following Jesus.