The stubborn faith of the blind beggar

Today we consider the stubborn, unyielding, confident nature of  faith, as seen in the blind beggar crying out for mercy. When he was rebuked for it, he cried out all the more. So now we have opportunity to be like him. For here at the altar we are also blind, since we cannot see Jesus, and did not see what he did for us in his death and resurrection; and we cannot see that the Sacrament is  truly his body and blood. Further, we cry to him whom we cannot see, as beggars, for we are worthy of none of the things for which we ask. And so we cry for mercy, saying, Holy, holy, holy . . . blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, and he who is passing by today hears our cry and stands still: he comes to us in the Sacrament, and grants our desire for mercy. And we, like the blind man, receive exactly what good things we expected to receive. Sermon for Quinquagesima.