14-Nov-16

Gospel LK 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Reflection:
Jesus traveled throughout the countryside teaching as He walked. People followed, listening to the pearls of wisdom that fell from His lips.
As He passed through towns and villages, large crowds gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the great healer who made the crippled walk and the blind see.
"As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
Hearing that the famous healer was passing by, the blind man made a scene, not caring what others said or thought of him
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Every parent upon hearing the desperate cry of their child immediately stops what they are doing and rushes to respond. Jesus was the living personification of our Father in Heaven. And like God our Father, Jesus' heart is attuned to our every cry of desperation.
For Jesus, preaching the word of God was important but acting upon the word of God was essential.
Hearing the blind man's plea for pity, our Lord immediately responded:
"Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him......"
This was a "moment of truth" for the blind man. In total acceptance of his own powerlessness, he had turned to the One Man who could give him his sight.
Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man did not attempt to bargain with Jesus: "If you give me my sight I promise to live a good life and help others." He knew there was nothing he could offer.
Instead, in complete recognition of his dependence on God, the blind man said, "Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God."
Like the blind man, we also turn to God in our desperation.
And, still today, Jesus is the One who sets us free and give us eyes to see.
May we too give glory to God so that others may come to believe and give praise to our Father in Heaven.
"We are all desperate, that is in fact the only state appropriate to a human being who wants to know God." - - Philip Yancey