To Believe and To See

A Universal Appeal to Faith In Christ: Gospel Reflection Nov.17

Now it came pass as he drew near to Jericho, that a certain blind man was sitting by the wayside, begging; but hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what this might be. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And they who went in front angrily tried to silence him. But he cried out all the louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Then Jesus stopped and commanded that he should be brought to him. And when he drew near, he asked him, saying, ‘What wouldst thou have me do for thee?’ And he said, Lord, that I may see.; And Jesus said to him, ‘Receive thy sight, thou faith has saved thee.’ And at once he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people upon seeing it gave praise to God. (Lk 18: 35-43 NCE)

Today’s Gospel is an important example of the unique approach of its author, the Evangelist, Luke. Each Gospel writer, like any writer, has a style or personality that comes out through their words. Intention is also a factor in one’s approach, and St. Luke sought to write this Gospel with stressing the importance of prayer, the universality of God’s mercy and forgiveness, and as a tool of conversion for all who had not yet heard the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps it was the fact that St. Luke was born a gentile that he had such great hopefulness for pagans and such.

In this Gospel, Luke reminds us of two important necessities that we are to understand as we continue our faith journey: 1. The importance of prayer, and 2. That God’s love is meant for everyone. Notice in the Gospel how the haughty and “pious” people in the crowd tried to silence the begging blind man when he called out for Jesus. Did they feel uncomfortable by his presence and outwardness? Did they think they were better than him in the eyes of God? Well, yes, and yes. Back in those times the “lowly,” such as blind beggars in this example, were seen as less because the Hebrew culture was still caught up in ideas that equated wealth and abundance as being in favor with God. Additionally, blindness was even seen as an inherited sin from one’s lineage (i.e., Jn 9: 13-38). After all, “Who does this blind beggar think he is,” they might have asked.

“Receive thy sight, thy faith has saved thee.” (Lk 18:42)

But this blind beggar addressed Jesus perfectly—even acknowledging him in Messianic terms as the “Son of David,” twice. So, not only did he speak in terms the Jewish culture would understand, he also represented what Jesus was trying to tell the masses—that He is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant which will give new meaning and life to those who can both see and hear. So having only heard the words of the Master, the blind beggar could now see—with both his earthly eyes and through the eyes of his faith!

In the face of adversity, the blind man stood firm in his faith. He cried out in prayer until Jesus answered him, and yet the man knew our Lord would indeed answer him. Are we not called to that kind of faith and trust in prayer as well? Certainly, we are. And let us stop even before we begin to ever rest on notions of how well our lives may work, our comforts and our good fortune, and think again about the blind beggar, the “lowly,” and yet the one in this Gospel singled out to come before Jesus, by Jesus Himself… “And all the people upon seeing it gave praise to God.” (Lk 18:43)

*Image found at: catholicsstrivingforholiness.org