The reading today is about the cure of the blind man. What I like about it is that faith gradually comes to him. He is actually quite cheeky in his replies. Faith I thinks can be like that. We needn’t take it too seriously and we can acknowledge that it has its ups and downs. One thing one can be sure of: whatever the evidence, the Pharisees in our midst will continue to mock.

On Tuesday the court official travels all the way from Jerusalem to find Jesus in Galilee. Quite a journey and no doubt he was mocked at court for seeking out an obscure provincial faith healer. Courts are still the same today, the preserve of the politically careful. How many today would have the courage or time to seek out the likes of Jesus.

On Tuesday I had lots of meetings to go to so I was very late at Mass. Like the crippled man at the Pool of Bethzatha, I could not get to the heeling waters in time but what a joy to arrive at the raising of the host. Well worth the hot walk down Victoria Street.

Again on Wednesday I had had a long-walk across central London. By the time I arrived at Mass I was tired but the fifth chapter of John gradually spread into the consciousness. “I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life.”

The Gospel on Thursday again from John 5 is even longer and even more soothing: “You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape, and his words find no home in you”.

On Friday I was grappling with a problem about what to do, which had vexed me for some time. Several Hail Marys had not done the trick. I tried one last time. I imagined I was with Christ in the garden and the choices that are given to us and I asked to do his will. Almost immediately a firm thought came into my head. “Do not do this.” This seemed to have resolved the problem. I woke refreshed.

Where had this sensible advice come from? From an illusion in my own head or perhaps just possibly from somewhere else? Perhaps it is true.

By Saturday the problem and the choice remained, but so too did the firm advice. I will not ignore something that could come from Christ himself. How difficult it is, though, to do his not our will.

Today’s Gospel asks a pertinent question “do prophets come out of Galilee”.