Today's Gospel reading [...] reminds us of the episode of the healing of the blind man of Jericho. The Gospel also reveals his name: Bartimaeus, and reconstructs his plea-cry: "Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me" (Mk 10:47). Finally he relates his moving plea: "Rabbi, that I may regain my sight" (Mk 10:51). And Jesus' answer is not long in coming: "Go, your faith has saved you" (Mk 10:52).

Here, one of those signs that Jesus of Nazareth performed during his public ministry. It is, this, a particularly eloquent sign: by restoring sight to the blind man, Jesus sheds light on his life. The entire mission of Christ is full of this meaning: He casts divine light on human life through the Gospel. In the light of Christ's words, human life acquires meaning: the ultimate meaning, which also illuminates the different spheres of this earthly life.

[Pope John Paul II, homily 27 October 1991]