Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is traveling between cities when he is confronted by a blind man. The blind man, hearing the good news, cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Because of his faithful desire to “see” the Messiah, his site is restored. This story has several key messages. The first is that the blind man proclaims Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David. Without physically seeing Jesus, he knows spiritually that Jesus is the Christ sent for their salvation. Secondly, the blind man is persistent in his cries for help. He does not let things get in the way of his desire to see and personally know Christ. He ignores the crowd and continues his pleas. The third message is the healing. Jesus tells the blind man, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” So why did the blind man receive his sight? Not because of his cries, but because he was persistent in his faith. The blind man asked Jesus to have mercy on him. This act of faith touched Jesus. The blind man prayed with conviction, with urgency and with persistence. He did not give up after the first cry for help. He did not succumb to the pressures of the world. While the crowd tried to divert his faith, he remained steadfast in his journey to Christ. We too must pray persistently, but most importantly, we must pray with conviction and with urgency. We must ask Christ to have mercy on us and to give us our sight. If we are blind to the will of God, then we too should cry out, “Lord, please let me see.” God will reward your plea because of your faith. We must fight off the pressures of the world to be quite and to forget Christ. We must be bigger than the crowds, for Christ desires all of us to be part of his flock.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, let me receive my sight.

Let me see your mercy and grace.

Let me see your wonder and awe.

May I never overlook the love which you pour out for me.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon