Daily Readings - Mon Nov 20 2017
Luke
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,41"What do you want me to do for you?Lord, I want to see," he replied.42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the enduring presence of God amidst trials and darkness. In the first reading from 1 Maccabees, we hear the story of a time of great suffering for the Jewish people. King Antiochus, driven by arrogance and a desire to impose his own ways, desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, erecting an idol and forcing the people to abandon their traditions. Many were persecuted for their fidelity to the law of God, and the Temple, once a symbol of God’s presence, became a place of desolation. Yet even in the midst of such darkness, the seeds of hope were sown. The courage of those who remained faithful, even in the face of death, reminds us that God’s light can never truly be extinguished.
In the Gospel, we encounter a blind man sitting by the roadside near Jericho. His physical blindness is a metaphor for the spiritual blindness that can afflict us all. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he cries out with persistence, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" Despite the rebukes of the crowd, he refuses to be silenced, and his faith ultimately moves Jesus to stop and heal him. This story teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt; it is about trusting in God’s mercy and love, even when we cannot see the way forward. The blind man’s persistence is a powerful reminder that our prayers, though they may seem small or insignificant, are heard by God.
These readings encourage us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we feel like we are walking in darkness, unsure of what lies ahead? How easily do we give up when faced with obstacles or challenges? The blind man’s story invites us to cry out to God with the same persistence and trust, knowing that He is always near. The first reading reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God’s presence remains, and His plan for our salvation is always at work. Let us strive to remain faithful, to trust in God’s providence, and to seek His light in the midst of any darkness we may face.