The First Readings from now until the end of the litugical year come from the Book of Revelation. Today's reading starts from the Prologue and goes on to the first of John's letters to the seven churches of Asia.

Addressing the Church at Ephesus, John praises the people for their hard work, perseverance, and their rejection of the wicked in their midst. Ephesus at that time, i.e. Domitian's time, was the main seat of the emperor cult. The emperor expected to be worshipped as God and those who did not were put to death. Yet Christ was active in His church there. However, fraternal charity was gradually disappearing, possibly because of growing orthodox legalism. This is why John warns them to change their ways - to repent and to be supportive of one another, as before.

In Luke's Gospel account of the healing of the blind man of Jericho, there was no need of a divine rebuke for the blind man. His faith shone through his persistent clamouring for pity from "Jesus, Son of David." He recognised Jesus for who He was, giving Him the Messianic title of "Son of David," and nothing and no-one could stop him from his plea for sight. Though physically blind, the vision of his faith made him unstoppable and he was rewarded with healing. He then followed Jesus, praising God.