Blessed are your eyes

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24

Summary

Followers of The Way, even if making missteps or errors, should be guided as like in the Psalm readings today:

1. Govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.
2. He shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
3. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

Followers of The Way should exhibit these characteristics as like the portion from Isaiah:

1. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.
2. A Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, of counsel and of strength, knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
3. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide.
4. But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
5. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
6. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Reflection

In our gospel portion today, we are given insight to the divine relationship between Father and Son. We are also given the adoption and responsibility of the divine care of the human family.

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

It is not a revelation for education but for election. Elected (selected) to be like the promised Emmanuel in Isaiah, the Royal King of Psalm 72 and the gospel presence in the world as in the portion from Luke today:

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Personal Reflection

I see with the eyes and with the heart. Today is a good day for me to try (at least try) to follow The Way anew. I’ll follow these steps:

1. Request in prayer: The Spirit of the LORD to rest upon me.
2. Respond with resources: Rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
3. Listen with compassion: Have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

That is today’s action plan.

Blessed are your eyes!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120324.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry