33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
1st Reading: Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave it to him, to let his servants know what is soon to take place. He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John, who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God, and the declaration of Jesus Christ.
Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words, and happy those who hear them and treasure everything written here, for the time is near.
From John, to the seven churches of Asia: receive grace and peace from him who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits of God, which are before his throne,
Gospel: Lk 18:35-43
When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people in front of him scolded him. “Be quiet!” they said, but he cried out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped, and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the man said, “Lord, that I may see!” Jesus said, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.” At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.
Reflections
The story begins with a blind man sitting beside the road begging. When the beggar hears that Jesus is passing by he begins to call out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of David, have compassion on me!” The people tell him to keep quiet. A useless beggar like him has no right disturbing the Master. But the beggar ignores them and keeps crying out. Now Jesus stops. Jesus orders the man to be brought to him. “What do you want me to do for you?” Now listen to this man’s response to Jesus’ question: “Lord, please let me see.” His request is more than physical sight. It is to see his life differently - from a useless beggar to a person with dignity and self-worth. Jesus immediately responds: “Receive your sight. Your faith has made you well, has healed and made you whole.” Jesus restored his status as a human being worthy of respect and honor. And what did the man do when he could see? He became a follower of Jesus and gave glory to God. No longer blind, no longer a beggar, no longer by the road but on the road with Jesus. The story also applies to each one of us when our eyes are opened to the suffering and exclusion of the poor and the defenseless. Our eyes are blind when we ignore them and when we participate in their exclusion. Our eyes are opened when, like Jesus, we participate in their inclusion in our communities and no longer see them as beggars but as full members of our society.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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