Word to the Wise

Monday, November 17, 2025 - Monday in the 33th Week in Ordinary Time

[1 Macc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 and 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 said to 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."[Luke]

NOVEMBER 17 ST.ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

There is a strange irony in this gospel story which can be noted by the question: "Who is really blind here?" Is it the beggar? Well...yes, but his blindness is physical. Is it the crowd? Yes! They are blind to the plea of the beggar and try to silence him. The real blindness in the story is interior. The blind man actually calls Jesus by a messianic title: "Son of David." He truly "sees" Jesus. The crowd acts in a way that is opposite to a missionary church. They have become blind to the poor blind beggar.

This story is consistent with so many others in the Gospel According to Luke where those who have are blinded by what they have from seeing the beggar on their doorstep. Our affluent, consumer oriented, society and a faith that focuses solely on the liturgical expression can make us numb and blind to those who are calling out for help. This isn't simply a matter of personal charity, but also a collective blindness that results in legislative action to silence and remove the blind beggar so that he or she doesn't bother our faith and lifestyle.

Perhaps the crowd should also be asking Jesus, "Lord, please let me see!" Are we in the "crowd?" AMEN

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