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
I have heard and read this Gospel before, but have I listened to actually learn from the Words?
After a second and third read of this Gospel I kept coming back to this line:
"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!'"
I really took a minute to imagine what it must have been like for that blind man calling out to Jesus. He was completely alone, asking and relying on others to tell him what was going on. When he heard it was Jesus passing by he immediately took to shouting, calling out to Jesus in hopes that he’d hear him, only to be met with rebuke and ridicule from those around him. However, he didn’t lose faith, he didn’t quiet his voice, he continued to call out even more fervently, "Son of David, have pity on me!”. And remarkably, his cries were answered.
How many of us would continue to call out once ridiculed? How many of us would even believe others to be telling the truth, that Jesus really was walking past? How many of us would have faith that Jesus would answer?
This scene resonates with the challenges we face in our world today. A world where judgment comes swiftly when we don’t conform to society’s beliefs or norms. In a world filled with distractions, doubts, and misinformation, it's easy to be swayed or silenced by the opinions of others. The blind man's example challenges us to stand firm in our faith, to persistently call out to Jesus even when faced with opposition or discouragement. Like him, we should trust in our beliefs, and have faith in Jesus even when others attempt to silence us.
I’d like to leave you with this last bit of reflection. At Sundays Mass we sang a hymn that reminded me much of this passage, it was called We Walk by Faith by Marty Haugen. It begins with the line we walk by faith and not by sight and continues….. "we may not touch his hands and side, nor follow where he trod, yet in his promise we rejoice and cry “My Lord and God!”….help then O Lord our unbelief and may our faith abound, to call on you when you are near, and seek where you are found”.
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