I want to see again

1 Macc. 1:10-15.41-43.54-57.62-63, Lk. 18: 35-43. Today’s first reading describes the persecution of the Jews by the Greeks during the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. The “Revealing One” as his name implied wanted to remove all local religions and establish a universal Hellenic culture based upon Greek mythology and practices. Many of the Jews in Jerusalem see that accepting the Greek way of life is financially and politically advantageous. They abandon their Jewish traditions and practices and even abolished circumcision, which was the sign of the commitment to the Jewish faith, so that they can participate in the Greek style of living. They profane the Sabbath and ate “defiled” food.

The Psalmist captures the sentiments of the faithful Jews in their loathing of the apostate fellow country folk. The defection from the true religion is seen as a direct affront against God and rejection of salvation. In today’s Gospel, the blind man also faced rejection until Jesus intervened. There is something endearing about the blind man who kept on shouting until somebody listened. In the face of opposition, he perseveres in his prayer. When he asked: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me,” the onlookers scolded him and told him to keep quiet. He simply shouted his prayer out louder: “Son of David, have pity on me.” Undeterred by other people’s intolerant attitude, he models for us what persevering prayer looks like. It was driven by his need and his confidence in Jesus. Our own heartfelt petition can be driven by some deep need we feel. In bringing our need to God we open ourselves for a blessing, just as the blind man did when he brought his need to Jesus. He did not cease to pray when he was healed, though his prayer was changed to thanksgiving and praise. The prayer of thanks may not come as naturally to us as the prayer of need. But we all have much to thank God for. The blind man teaches us not to forget to say thanks for all the ways the Lord has blessed us.

May the Lord guide and strengthen us in our lives' journey and grant us His saving help! Amen!! Have a fruitful week!!!