Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 15th November
Autumn Trees at Belmont
Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 15th November 2021
There are many miracles of healing in the Gospels and, no doubt, we all have favourites. The ones I like best are those that describe the healing of the blind, and there are a number of them. Today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 16: 35-43), describes such a miracle. In truth, they are all rather familiar, some with more, others with less detail. This is quite a short account, yet all the elements are present. Although Jesus is likely to have healed a number of blind people, these might well be different versions of the same miracle. Let’s read what Luke has to say.
“As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past, he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.”
We know the story so well that we probably take it for granted and no longer ponder on its meaning and implications. A blind man would be begging at the side of the road leading into and out of town because he couldn’t work, so begging would be the only way of earning a living. He can’t see Jesus passing by, but can hear the commotion and so asks the crowd what is happening. He then cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” He believes that Jesus is the promised Messiah, hence Son of David. He asks for pity, mercy and forgiveness. The people at the front of the crowd lining the way scold him and tell him to keep quiet, but he shouts still louder. Jesus hears him above the noise of the crowd and orders the man to be brought to him. To the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” the man simply replies, “Lord, let me see again.” He only asks for what he really needs, because once he can see, he can find work again. Jesus can see his faith, honesty and humility, so replies, “Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.” Because the man has asked only for his sight to be restored, he receives in addition the gift of salvation. This results in praise and thanksgiving both on the part of the blind man and of the crowd. The man that was blind now becomes a disciple of Jesus and the crowd recognises what God has done through Jesus.
Each day we encounter Jesus and he asks us, “What do you want me to do for you?” Let our answer be short and to the point. Let us ask only for what we truly need. Who knows what we will receive besides?
