MONDAY, THIRTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Mc 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119; Lk 18:35-43
THE HUMBLE SHALL SEE GOD
The lawlessness of the people of Israel is seen over and over in the Old Testament. The first reading shows how they forget their God, run after false Gods and idols and mix with the Gentiles and their worship. And even though the people lost their faith and forsake the Lord, the Lord remains faithful and keeps his covenant with his people. He protects some of the people from falling into sin and uses them to bring the rest of the people back to himself.
During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees and the leaders of the people of Israel behaved much like the Old Testament people. They reject Jesus in their pride. They do not follow other Gods, but they have strayed from the true essence of worship and just follow their own rules and traditions. Elsewhere Jesus calls them blind guides leading the people.
In today’s Gospel, Luke praises the faith of a blind man, and makes it the reason for healing him. The man does not lose his faith and go after other Gods, but remains faithful to the Lord and is healed because of that. This is a real contrast to the Pharisees who believed that they see everything well but are really blinded by their pride and do not recognize the work of God in Jesus Christ.
As we reflect today, let us ask God for two things so that we can imitate the blind beggar in his disposition before God. First is to ask God to increase our faith that we may be faithful even in difficult times. Second is to ask God to give us humility to accept and understand our own blindness in many areas and to run to him as the source of truth and light.
Let us respond in the words of the Responsorial Psalm, When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
Response: Give me life, O Lord, and I will keep your commands.
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