Daily Reflection – 11/18/19
Sacred Scripture
Now 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.( Luke 18:35-43)
Reflection
Seeking God is a matter of faith not sight. Seeing is believing? In the Gospel lesson, believing is seeing.
This is why Jesus spoke about those with a pure heart seeing God. You can’t see the invisible God with your physical eyes! You need to work on your inner self, your soul, the eyes of your heart to see God. Jesus gives to the blind man what the blind man already believes.
Sometimes, however, we just don’t want to be healed. We’d rather hold on to the spiritual and emotional hurt we carry — for example, a negative image of ourselves from our youth that we hold onto, the hurt from a friend or the abandonment we felt when our spouse walked out.
The first step to healing is realizing how much we are loved. It is so moving to watch how Jesus treats those who are disfigured and broken. Jesus pays special attention to them and treats them with amazing reverence.
Healing comes to us when we stop blaming ourselves for the bad things that happen to us. When God reaches out with healing grace, it is not just for the sake of making us whole. God heals us from something so that we might be able to extend that same healing to the world beyond us. The kindness and compassion of Jesus embrace the blind man so that he in turn may become kind and compassionate toward others.
In our life, we will come across people who are in need of God’s compassion and healing mercy. Before they can hear about God, they need someone to speak words of encouragement, a friend to hear the hurt they are carrying, or a faith pilgrim who’s willing to share his or her own journey of faith. Great healing can come in sharing our hurts with someone who has also known pain, hurt, and misfortune. Our willingness to pass on the compassion of God is the way we give thanks for the healing that’s come to us.
Today you are hearing the Word of God, about a Savior who invites you to come to Him for mercy. Jesus is passing by, and He may never pass so close to you again! He is the only one with the power to open eyes that have been blinded by sin. Call out to Him while He is near!
Prayer of The Day
Dear, gentle Jesus, my faith is tender. I come to You needing to know that You love me. Only in your presence can I find the courage to look at my brokenness and to see myself as You see me. Help me to let the power of your love, reach into those painful places in my heart that are bruised and need healing. Let me rest for a moment in the comfort of your embrace.
Daily Note
Just as Bartimaeus had his opportune moment to cry out to Jesus, and then it would be gone, so it is with you. Today is the day of salvation; you may not have tomorrow! Today you are hearing the Word of God, about a Savior who invites you to come to Him for mercy. Jesus is passing by, and He may never pass so close to you again! He is the only one with the power to open eyes that have been blinded by sin. Call out to Him while He is near!
