Twice in today's Gospel Jesus asks the same question, once to two disciples angling for thrones, once to a blind beggar shouting from the roadside: what do you want Me to do for you?

The question is a mirror. James and John answer with ambition; Bartimaeus answers with need. Before you read, let Jesus ask you the same thing, and notice what surfaces first.

James and John wanted position; Bartimaeus wanted sight; Jesus, en route to a cross, wanted to serve. Every character in the chapter answers the same question, and the beggar comes off best, because he knew exactly how blind he was and exactly who was passing by. Honest need is the fastest road to Jesus ever discovered.

So answer the question without polishing it. What do you want Him to do for you? Say the real thing, sight, mercy, a healed marriage, courage, and say it as loudly as Bartimaeus, whatever the crowd thinks. Then do what he did next: follow Jesus along the road, eyes open.