Word to the Wise
Monday, November 19, 2018 - 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]
At first glance, this incident (reported also in Mark 10 and Matthew 20) seems to be about Jesus having compassion on a blind man and restoring his sight. Yes, it is about that, but much more. The "more" is worth considering because it is the faith of the blind man that makes the difference here. Notice that his hearing of the crowd begins the story, then his inquiry about who is passing and the reply of the crowd, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." The blind man does not call out, "Jesus of Nazareth!" He calls out, "Jesus, Son of David!" Where did he get that title? The crowd sees "Jesus of Nazareth." The blind man "sees" a messianic figure with the eyes of faith. What's more, the crowd tries to silence him! It is Jesus who hears the cry of faith and replies, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Our own cries of faith and those of others sometimes seem unheard by the rest of those who surround Jesus. But Jesus does hear them. If we are in the crowd, can we tell the difference between "Jesus of Nazareth" and "Jesus, Son of David?" Who is really blind in this story? Can the crowd be proper "church folks" or even church leadership? Maybe it is not only the "blind man" but all of us who need to say to Jesus, "Lord, please let me see." AMEN