Daily Readings - Mon Nov 18 2019
Luke
35As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.36And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."38And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"39And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"40And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him,41"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me recover my sight."42And Jesus said to him, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well."43And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and the struggle between darkness and light. The first reading from 1 Maccabees describes a time of great trial for the Jewish people. The Temple in Jerusalem, the heart of their worship and identity, was desecrated by the pagan ruler Antiochus, who sought to erase their faith and impose his own idolatrous practices. Many Jews were persecuted for remaining faithful to the law of Moses, and even some among them abandoned their traditions to conform to the ways of the Gentiles. This passage reminds us of the enduring tension between fidelity to God and the pressures of a world that often rejects His truth.
The Gospel reading from Luke offers a stark contrast to this darkness. Jesus, on His way to Jericho, encounters a blind man who cries out for mercy. Despite being rebuked by the crowd, the man persists in his plea, addressing Jesus as the "Son of David," a title rich with messianic significance. Jesus stops, calls the man to Him, and restores his sight through a simple yet profound act of faith. This miracle is not just a physical healing but a spiritual one, as the man’s persistence in the face of rejection reflects the kind of faith that overcomes even the greatest obstacles. The crowd’s amazement and praise of God underscore the transformative power of encountering Christ.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the blind man, we often find ourselves in spiritual darkness, unable to see the path forward. Yet, Jesus calls us to cry out to Him with persistence and trust, even when others discourage us. The first reading reminds us that our faith will be tested, and we must remain steadfast, refusing to compromise our values or abandon the traditions that connect us to God. In a world that often pressures us to conform, we are called to be like the Maccabees, defending our faith even in the face of adversity. Let us ask ourselves: Do we have the courage to stand firm in our beliefs? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the road ahead seems uncertain? May we, like the blind man, turn to Jesus with unwavering faith, knowing that He alone can restore our sight and lead us to true freedom.