Today’s gospel reading is from Luke 18:35-43 (USCCB version)
Now as he 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.”t
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”u
He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Have you ever imagined yourself to be in one of these gospel accounts? What if you were the blind man in today’s reading?
You are doing the same thing you have been doing for years, maybe decades, sitting on the side of the road begging for a little food or money from faces you cannot see. Suddenly you hear the sound of a great multitude approaching. What does the noise sound like? Is the crowd laughing? Or chattering excitedly?
You beg someone to tell you what is happening and they tell you that Jesus is passing by. You’ve heard about this Jesus – he heals the sick and lame. You never thought you would meet him but now you have the chance.
You have to get his attention in the midst of the noisy throng. So you begin yelling at the top of your lungs, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” How do you feel when people tell you to be quiet? Are you angry? Embarrassed? Frustrated? Do you feel your chance is slipping away?
You keep yelling. You hear the crowd come to a halt. They have stopped right in front of you. What is happening? Then you hear a voice command that you be brought to him. Two strong arms on either side hoist you up and you feel yourself being guided through the throngs. And then you hear the voice again.
“What do you want me to do?” How does His voice sound? Is it soft and friendly? Is it compassionate? Or is it curt and authoritative?
“Lord, I want to see again!” Are you still yelling? Or are you pleading softly? Or maybe whispering hoarsely?
“Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you”. As he utters these words, how do you react to the world around you which suddenly comes into focus? Which image is the first to appear? Is it Jesus or has He already moved on? Is it the jubilant crowd, who just moments ago was telling you to be quiet? How do you feel? Does it all seem like a dream?
The passage says you begin to follow Him, giving Glory to God. How do you give glory to God? Do you continue to cry out or do you tell everyone around you what just happened?
Inserting ourselves into the story and using our imaginations is one way to let the Gospels speak to us. Too often we just read through them without experiencing them and allowing them to penetrate our hearts and souls. Closing our eyes and meditating upon every detail is a great way to let the Bible speak to us personally.
Father, once I was blind, just like this beggar, but you opened my eyes to the truth. Thank you for having mercy on me and for giving me the faith which healed me. May I always be thankful for Your light in my life and may I share this light with everyone I encounter. Amen