The scene in today’s gospel should resemble or foreshadow Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem complete with lots of paparazzi, flamboyant hosannas, fan girls, Super Bowl-sized crowds, and if a Pope Mobile were invented yet it would be swerving enthusiastically through the masses. Jesus was a serious celebrity with as many haters as groupies just like today’s celebrities. Celebrity’s lives are lived under a microscope and every word uttered by them could and would be used against them at some point in their career. Today, the crowd was for him! “WE LOVE JESUS, YES WE DO, WE LOVE JESUS, HOW ‘BOUT YOU?!!!!!!!!!!”
Visualize how the blind beggar felt with hundreds of rowdy fanatics invading his corner, his sales turf, probably stepping all over him, pushing, and shoving, with lots of Middle Eastern yelling. When he learns that Jesus is the reason for this commotion, he immediately joins in. I can imagine that an experienced blind beggar’s voice probably had some well developed volume behind it as he was heard over everyone else and of course when Jesus’ entourage (picture dudes in black and white suits, ear pieces, sunglasses, brisk purposeful walking, and no smiles) tried to silence him, the blind man had nothing to lose and just shouted louder! Have you ever had nothing to lose? It gives you a certain confidence, unusual courage, and the guts to just go for it, doesn’t it? The blind beggar put it all out there. Remember that illness, affliction, mental disorders, disease, ailments, etc. were all associated with someone’s sin and when the blind man addressed Jesus as the Son of David (Messiah), he also admitted that he himself was a sinner, “have mercy on me.” The definition of mercy is: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm, implying that the one receiving mercy did indeed do something to merit punishment. We are all fall short and this cry for mercy is our cry as well.
What an excellent example of how God responds to us in prayer. When we cry out to him with full heart and voice, He will stop and bring us close to Him, the way Jesus does in the story, and then He will dialogue with us, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked the blind beggar this question because he knew that when his sight was restored, his begging career and livelihood would also be destroyed. This was a huge sacrifice and Jesus needed to make sure he knew exactly what he was asking for. So Jesus, in his kindness, checked first with the blind man, and his answer was the right one, “I want to see.” He knew the heart of the matter…the gift of understanding; the fruit of faithfulness, and that is how Jesus knew that God was working in the blind man’s life. His request was motivated by faith rather than by selfishness, and as a result, many people witnessed him immediately start following Jesus and praising God. They in turn did the same because the miracle of sight was also granted to them. God’s work in our lives spills over into the lives of those around us.
The blind man traded his livelihood to follow Jesus. He gave up what he knew, and what was comfortable because he put his trust in God. He cried out to Jesus in the midst of chaos, admitted that he was weak and in need of mercy, and because he had nothing to lose, he gained everything. Let’s get to the heart of the matter in our own lives. Jesus asks us today, "What do you want me to do for you?" What do we really need? Are we willing to trade our current status to attain it? Are we willing to cry out to the Lord with full voice? Will we immediately follow him once we are healed? Will we only ask for things that are safe and comfortable? And last but not least do we believe that God’s mercy is bigger than our sin? Think on these things and it is well with my soul.
Reading 1 RV 1:1-4; 2:1-5
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me:
"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
"'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
"I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."'"
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me:
"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
"'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
"I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."'"
Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
R. (Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Alleluia JN 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.
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.
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