Greetings on this the Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158; Lk 18:35-43
Notes: War is the ultimate vanity.
Peace to Jerusalem.
Peace to Palestine.
Peace to Russia.
Peace to Ukraine.
Summary
In our readings today we can see easily the common problem. ‘People’ are unreliable in their decision making. By people I mean all of us. The Jewish political and cultural factions were divided between the “Hellenizers” and the “Traditionalists”.
Out of Maccabees we see the people acting with the idea of advantage, alliance and acquisition as the basis by which we judge our friends and adversaries, as well as, our best course of action. And we often get it wrong. The alliance with the new Greeks (Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who plied many gifts but detested Jewish institutions) was based on the relationship with the old Greeks (Seleucids, who honored Jewish institutions and left them alone).
[From the descendants of Alexander’s officers] there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome.
A sinful offshoot.
Once a hostage at Rome.
In our gospel portion today, there are two types of people there too.
One group:
A blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
The other group:
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. I guess it annoyed them he was yelling loudly and they were in front of him.
Reflection
When it comes to your own life you are wise to be like the blind man in the gospel portion today.
- Ask questions.
- Be persistent.
- Open a direct line of dialog with the divine.
- Ask for specific things.
- Be grateful, even in anticipation of a reply.
Personal Reflection
At the OCIA meeting yesterday I explained the story of the one talent in a direct way: your capacity to love and cross referenced it to the last two verses in the Gospel of John.
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
No matter how much is written, no matter how much is shared, in the end we have three things we are responsible for:
- Faith – first a gift from the LORD then a response from us.
- Eternal Life – first a gift from the LORD and a gift we request.
- I AM – first the name of the LORD and then the response to the call: Are you ready to follow Jesus? I am.
Don’t waste your time with advantage, alliance and acquisition.
Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, jump up and shout!
He inquired what was happening.
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
First Reading
Terrible affliction was upon Israel.
Responsorial
Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Gospel Acclamation
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Gospel
Blind Man
He inquired what was happening.
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
The People
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent,.
Jesus
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
Outcome
He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry