18-Nov-20

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

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 blind beggar must have heard about this man Jesus who was known to be a miracle worker. Sensing that this might be his only opportunity to gain his sight, the beggar began shouting in desperation, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"

The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent....

As a roaming preacher, Jesus would have been teaching as He walked. Those “walking in front” would have been His closest disciples; their immediate reaction was to silence the blind man.

What is my reaction when I see a beggar clamoring for help?

..........but he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"

Like the blind man, we too tend to reach out to God more from our desperation than we do from our self-sufficiency. I may offer a lukewarm prayer for peace in the world but I render my heart to God if my child or grandchild is seriously ill.

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?"

I wonder, what would my answer be?

Understandably, the blind man answered, “Lord, please let me see."

Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."

Jesus makes the connection between our faith and His ability to bring about a miracle in our life.

Do I have the faith of the blind man? Could Jesus perform a miracle based on the strength of my faith?

He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.

Upon receiving his sight the blind man could have done many things but his first reaction was to follow Jesus and give glory to God.

When my prayers are answered, do I say thank you and go on my way?Or do I point to Jesus and give glory to God?

“As a parent takes delight in a grateful child so too is God pleased when we offer Him praise and glory.” Unknown