Photo was taken facing the centre of Liverpool (Eng)

Our photos this week have been coming from Liverpool to mark its European Capital of Culutre for 2008. The fact that it is hosting such a prestigious event means that the city is currently experiencing a major face lift. Cranes are to be found in great numbers over many building sites. Liverpool will welcome thousands of visitors and tourists throughout the coming year. They won’t be disappointed.

‘What do you want me to do for you’? ~Mark 10:51

This question by Jesus to the blind man whose name was Bartimaeus might seem strange. Surely a blind man will want only one thing, to be able to see. Surely Jesus must know this and yet he still asks him. On closer reflection, Jesus encourages people to be confident in telling him what it is they want. He never jumps to conclusions about what that might be. Each person needs to be given space in which to express for themselves what they want. We might say are we not doing this anyway? It would seem not so. We live in such a busy and hectic world, that such a space where we can express our inner longings, doesn’t always happen. It is so important to create such a space. No wonder it prompted Jesus to say, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’