Daily Readings - Mon Nov 14 2022
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 Gospel, we encounter a blind man sitting by the roadside near Jericho, begging for help. When he hears the crowd passing by, he learns that Jesus of Nazareth is among them. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, the blind man persists in crying out to Jesus, addressing Him as the “Son of David” and pleading for pity. Jesus stops, calls the man to Him, and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man’s heartfelt response is, “Lord, that I may see.” Jesus, moved by his faith, heals him, and the man immediately regains his sight. Filled with joy and gratitude, he follows Jesus, glorifying God, and the crowd, witnessing this miracle, praises God as well.
This passage takes place as Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem, where His passion and resurrection await. The blind man represents those on the margins of society, often overlooked or ignored. His persistence in the face of discouragement from the crowd reflects the kind of faith and determination that Jesus commends. The title “Son of David” is significant, as it acknowledges Jesus’ messianic identity and His power to heal. The crowd’s initial rebuke of the blind man highlights the societal barriers that often prevent people from encountering God, but the man’s refusal to be silenced demonstrates the importance of perseverance in prayer and trust in God’s mercy.
This story invites us to reflect on our own spiritual blindness and the ways we may be hindered from fully seeing and experiencing God’s presence in our lives. Like the blind man, we are called to cry out to Jesus with faith, even when others doubt or discourage us. The healing Jesus offers is not just physical but spiritual; it is an invitation to see the world and ourselves in a new light, through the lens of faith and gratitude. Let us ask ourselves: What are the areas in our lives where we need healing? What are the obstacles that prevent us from seeing God’s love and providence? May we, like the blind man, trust in Jesus’ power to restore our vision and lead us to a life of praise and witness.