Today, on this first Friday of Advent, the Gospel presents us with three figures: Jesus at the center of the scene, and two blind men who approach him full of faith and hopeful hearts. They had heard about him, about his tenderness toward the sick and his power. These traits identified him as the Messiah. Who better than him could take care of their misfortune?

The two blind men join forces and, as a community, they both head towards Jesus. In unison, they offer a prayer of petition to the One sent by God, the Messiah, whom they call “Son of David.” With their prayer, they want to evoke Jesus’ compassion: “Son of David, have pity on us!” (Mt 9:27).
Jesus challenges their faith: “Do you believe that I can do this?” (Mt 9:28). If they have approached the Messenger of God, it is precisely because they believe in Him. With one voice, they make a beautiful profession of faith, responding: “Yes, Lord” (Ibid.). And Jesus grants sight to those who already saw through faith. Indeed, to believe is to see with the eyes of our inner being.

This Advent season is the right time, also for us, to seek Jesus with great desire, like the two blind men, building community, building Church. With the Church, we proclaim in the Holy Spirit: “Come, Lord Jesus” (cf. Rev 22:17-20). Jesus comes with His power to fully open the eyes of our hearts, and to enable us to see, to believe. Advent is a powerful time of prayer: a time for prayers of petition, and above all, prayers of profession of faith. A time to see and to believe.

Let us remember the words of “The Little Prince”: “It is only with the heart that one can see what is essential.”