THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday of Eighth week in Ordinary Time, 2021

Sir 42:15-25

Ps 33

John 10: 46-52

Let me receive my sight

Dear friends in Christ, modern world with it technological development has shown that physical blindness, even though is not desirable, is also not the worst of afflictions. In fact someone who is physically blind, can live a normal life. There are however people who are not blind physically, but are not able to see and accept the truth.

The Gospel of today (Mark 10:46-52) concerns the healing of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus). He was sitting by the roadside and heard Jesus was passing bye. Roused by faith, he sought help from the Lord. He kept shouting “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” There were many other people in the crowd with their eyes open, seeing Jesus, yet did not believe in him. Worse still was the fact that there were those in the crowd who saw his shouting as disturbance and “so rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he cried out all the more.” All he wanted was mercy from the Lord. Because of his persistence, Jesus heard him through the noise of the crowd and stopped the journey, to attend to the blind man. Though the journey to Jerusalem was uppermost in the mind of Jesus, he counted this as important as well. So, they called the blind man, “Take heart, rise, he is calling you.” Never allow anything and anybody to discourage you as you cry out to the Lord. Pray in and out of season. He listens!

The man sprang up and came to Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked, and he replied, “Master, let me receive my sight.” Jesus restored his sight instantly saying, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” Put yourself in the blind man’s place, would you have asked Jesus for help? The implication of his healing is that he can no longer depend on others for a living. Would you have persevered in the midst of those discouraging voices from the crowd, that tried the best possible, to get the blind man to keep quiet? Get into the crowd, is there someone you are presently discouraging by your words and actions from holding on to his faith? For the times you have asked and received answers to your prayers, have you become a better follower of Jesus like the man who immediately followed him on the way? 

Bartimaeus was blind and so could be excused for not seeing the sufferings of others around him, are you attentive enough to the challenges of others? What efforts are you making at attending to the problems of others around you, who are in need of your help?

Let us pray: Lord, let me receive my sight, make me a committed disciple and help me to see and respond to the needs of others. Amen. 

+Remain blessed