FIRST READING
Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me: “To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
ALLELUIA
John 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho 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.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
REFLECTIONS:
Have you ever encountered a special moment
of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass
up? Such a moment came for a blind and destitute man who heard that Jesus
was passing by. The Gospel of Mark identifies this man as Bartimaeus (Mark
10:46-52). This blind man was determined to get near the one person who
could meet his need. He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for
healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of
David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah. It took raw courage
and persistence for Bartimaeus to get the attention of Jesus over the din
of a noisy throng who crowded around Jesus as he made his way out of town.
Why was the crowd annoyed with the blind man's persistent shouts? He was
disturbing their peace and interrupting their conversation with Jesus.
It was common for a rabbi to teach as he walked with others. Jesus was
on his way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem and a band of pilgrims
followed him. When the crowd tried to silence the blind man he overpowered
them with his loud emotional outburst and thus caught the attention of
Jesus.
This incident reveals something important about how God interacts with
us. The blind man was determined to get Jesus' attention and he was persistent
in the face of opposition. Jesus could have ignored or rebuffed him because
he was interrupting his talk and disturbing his audience. Jesus showed
that acting was more important than talking. This man was in desparate
need and Jesus was ready not only to empathize with his suffering but to
relieve it as well. A great speaker can command attention and respect,
but a man or woman with a helping hand and a big heart is loved more. Jesus
commends Bartimaeus for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith
and
grants him physical sight as well. Do you recognize your need for God's
healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, like Bartimaeus, with persistent
faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?
Bartimaeus was not only grateful for the gift of faith and the gift
of physical sight, but for the opportunity to now follow Jesus as one of
his disciples. Luke tells us us that he immediately followed Jesus and
gave glory to God. The crowd also gave praise to God when they saw this
double miracle of spiritual and physical vision. Clement of Alexandria,
a 4th century church father, comments on this double vision:
style="font-size: 150%;">Now
that he was delivered from his blindness, did he neglect the duty of loving
Christ? He certainly did not. It says, He followed him, offering him glory
like to God. He was set free from double blindness. Not only did he escape
from the blindness of the body but also from that of the mind and heart.
He would not have glorified him as God, had he not possessed spiritual
vision. He became the means of others giving Christ glory, for it says
that all the people gave glory to God.
Do you give glory to God for giving you the eyes of faith to recognize
him as your Lord and Healer?
"Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may see and understand
the truth and goodness of your word. May I never fail to recognize your
presence with me and to call upon your saving grace in my time of need
and healing."
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