About A Welcome Sight

This lesson plan on seeing Jesus will help youth think about what it takes to encounter Jesus and also about how really seeing our Lord will change our lives.

Game for this Lesson Plan on Seeing Jesus

Start by playing Minefield. In this game, a seeing leader guides his or her blindfolded team through a series of obstacles. For details see How to Play Minefield.

Follow up with some questions:

• How difficult was it to walk without seeing what was in front of you? Were you concerned you would run into something?
• If you were a caller, how much responsibility did you feel for keeping people from stumbling?
• What elements of trust were involved in this game?

In today's gospel, we hear about somebody who had been blind his whole life. But when his friends told him that Jesus was calling, he got up and moved, which took a lot of courage and trust.

Scripture Reading for A Welcome Sight

Read the Gospel:

Mark 10:46-52 (Jesus heals Bartimaeus) - the Gospel Reading for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me."

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"

The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."

Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."

Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:46-52

Discussion for Lesson Plan on Seeing Jesus

So Bartimaeus is sitting on the side of the road, begging as he does every day. He is completely dependent on the generosity of those passing by. Perhaps he listens for the clink of a coin in his cup and then says "Thank you!" But today he hears a commotion. Something is happening.

He gets the attention of someone passing by and asks what is going on. They tell him it is Jesus. He has heard the buzz about this great new prophet. Some people even say that Jesus works mighty miracles.

Bartimaeus has probably often felt left out in his life. Other people can do things he cannot. He hears people running to see Jesus. This time he doesn't want to be left behind. He wants to "see" Jesus also. So he calls out to get our Lord's attention.

Jesus hears him and sends somebody over. Jesus has heard him! Bartimaeus springs into action. Encouraged by the others he springs up and throws aside his cloak. This cloak may be the only thing he has to keep him warm at night. But he throws it aside even though in his blindness he might not be able to find it later. Bartimaeus is so excited to meet Jesus that nothing else matters. He has faith that his encounter with Jesus will make a difference in his life.

And it does. Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that he is free to go. But he doesn't go back to find his cloak and sit on the side of the road. He can see Jesus! He uses his new gift of sight to follow our Lord. The faith that gave him back his sight also set him firmly on the path of discipleship.

Like Bartimaeus, we can suffer from blindness. We can be blind to things we need to change in our lives. We can be blind to our prejudices and our sins. We can be blind about the attention we pay to our relationships. We can be blinded to the reality of Jesus in the Eucharist.

We need to have courage and faith to call out to Jesus and ask Him to cure the blindness in our lives. The light it shines might be uncomfortable. But it will also enable us to see how to follow Jesus.

Reflection Questions on Seeing Jesus

• What are some ways we can be blind?
• How might we ask Jesus to cure our blindness?
• What might have to change in our lives if we see in a different way?

Challenge for A Welcome Sight

Fr. Walter Burghardt, a Jesuit priest, has said that prayer is “a long, loving look at the real.”  This week, be extra aware of your sight and your other senses. Spend five minutes each day, outside if possible, just sitting still and looking at nature. Notice what you smell. Listen to the sounds. Think of how all of these things are gifts from God. Thank God for the gift of your senses and try to see Jesus through them.

Prayer for Seeing Jesus

Close by praying the Jesus prayer. This prayer is similar to the cry of Bartimaeus and is prayed just by repeating the phrase over and over again. See more information on the Jesus Prayer.

The prayer itself is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Breathe in when you say " "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God" and breathe out when you say " have mercy on me, a sinner."

Printable Copy

The Real Presence

Sometimes we can be blind to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Do we really understand what that means? See some questions and answers.

Learn How to Pray the Jesus Prayer