On this Sunday we hear the Gospel of Luke and the account of the blind beggar who called for Christ as he made his way to Jerusalem.  In the homily from December 14 (December 1 OS), Abp. Irineos commends the persistence of the beggar and his immediate transformation from beggar to evangelist as he gives glory to God for his healings.  Let us also be guided by both the beggar's insistence to be heard, calling on God even when the crowd that surrounds us and tries to shut us down.  And whenever we receive the grace of God, let us always give thanks, becoming evangelists of our own day, as we proclaim all the good things God has done for us!