Word to the Wise
Monday, November 17, 2014 - Monday in the 33th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5 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!" [Luke]
It is important to read the whole story today, but I have quoted the first few lines to help establish the drama! The blind man hears a commotion and makes an inquiry. He is told that "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." His response to that goes beyond what he was told. He cries out, "Jesus, Son of David have pity on me." This is an acknowledgment of faith in Jesus. He may be blind but he knows more than the crowd does. When the crowd tries to silence him, he yells all the louder! This gets Jesus' attention. The man receives his sight and follows Jesus.
In recounting this incident, Luke may also be reflecting on experiences in the community he was writing for. Faith can be found in places and persons we don't expect. Sometimes we unwittingly try to silence such faith because we are the "crowd" that is with Jesus. Yet, that blind beggar seems to know Jesus better than we do. I don't think it is stretching the point to note that Pope Francis seems to be encouraging our crowd to be more alert and welcoming to the blind beggars whose faith may be weak at first but grows quickly when noticed. Jesus' words to the beggar should be noted: "Have sight; your faith has saved you." Those words may be directed to us as well. AMEN
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