Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

“Christ Healing the Blind”
by El Greco, 1570-75

Readings for Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
 
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near
 
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
 
I heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
 
“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’
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Commentary on Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5
 
The first part of this passage from Revelation (Revelation 1:1-4) makes it appear as if this were a normal letter to the churches of Asia. Only the introduction and salutation reflect this form. The seven churches being referred to are in the Roman Province of Asia which was western Turkey. The specific churches being referred to are mentioned in Revelation 1:11: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each one of these gets their own injunction, like the one to Ephesus which is included in this selection.
 
Ephesus is given praise and criticism along with a warning that, if they do not revert to their previous charismatic love for one another, their “lampstand” (the symbol of the presence of Christ) will be removed. Important in the commendation to the Ephesians is their steadfastness, and their ability to reject false apostles.
 
CCC: Rv 1:4 1403, 2854; Rv 2-3 401; Rv 2:5 1429
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
 
R. (Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
 
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
 
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
 
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
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Commentary on Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
 
Psalm 1 serves as a preface to the whole book of the psalms. The psalmist here exalts those who follow the Lord’s commands and reflects upon the blessings they will receive. As in Romans 6:19ff, this selection emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the just and the punishment of the wicked.
 
This wisdom psalm begins by extolling the virtue of those who follow the law. The focus is to look to God for guidance, and not to trust only in the counsel of men. Those who reject the law will be blown away like “chaff,” an image used in the Gospel as well (Matthew 3:12).
 
This portion of the psalm is later echoed in Isaiah 48:17-19, like an overlapped formula of covenant.  Blessed is the man who “delights in the law day and night,” but “the way of the wicked vanishes.” It also takes up the theme of following right paths and staying true to the teachings of God: “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.”
 
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Gospel: Luke 18:35-43
 
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.
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Commentary on Lk 18:35-43
 
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel takes place as Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the last time. The blind man, whom he cures, addresses him as “Son of David,” a clear reference to Christ’s role as Messiah. Understanding his faith, the Lord announces: “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” The message is that those who recognize Jesus as the Messiah are saved. As a further testament to the identity of Jesus as Messiah, we are told the witnesses to this healing event recognized the action as a work of God's mercy, not the work of a man: "all the people gave praise to God."
 
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Reflection:
 
We are in the next-to-last week of our liturgical year, and our readings drive us toward our complete understanding of Jesus’ mission. Revealed in Scripture, he reigns as Messiah on earth and Lord of Heaven.  Even as the mystical reality of his divinity is pondered by St. John in the Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse), and the blind man who calls him “Son of David,” his ancient messianic title, we find practical advice that we must follow as a consequence of our faith and understanding.
 
Psalm 1 tells us that the one who follows God’s law is “blessed.”  We pause for a moment to consider what it means to be “blessed,” and why we should aspire to achieve that state.  First, we must avoid confusion.  Being named “Blessed” in the Church, that is, having that title officially recognized, carries much greater weight since it means that the person so titled has been put forward as a saint.  That person, as a consequence of their special grace and heroic virtue, has been presumed by the whole Church to have achieved a special place of favor in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 
What we hope to consider in this short reflection is not that formal title, but rather a personal state that results from one’s diligence on the path toward God.  Think for a moment of a person you believe to be very much focused on following God’s commandments, and living a life directed toward the greater glory of God.  The person does not have to be perfect, but just very much concerned with both the faith and actions prescribed by tradition and Scripture, seeking to please God in all things.
 
If we are lucky enough to know a person who has truly embarked upon such a path, we notice some things about that person that give us an indication of what a “blessed” life might be like.  First, we notice a sense of peace about them.  While they can be intense and seem driven, underlying that intensity is a peace that comes from complete reliance on God.  When things do not go well, they seem to take it in stride; the word “unflappable” comes to mind.
 
The person who has an intense relationship with God, so necessary be “blessed,” is also in a state of subdued joy.  Some have called this a spiritual high and it can be addictive.  Those who have attained this state in any sustained way, that rapturous comfort of knowing absolutely that God is with you and in you, sharing your being, have done so, not because of a single event (although a single experience may have seemed to be a trigger), but rather because of a discipline of prayer and actions that are in harmony with the will of the Father.  Once again, this does not mean the person is perfect (although some of the more spectacular examples of living this “blessed” life have seemed to be so) but have achieved that outward appearance of beatific calm that serves as an example of faith to inspire others.
 
It is this “blessed” life on earth and euphoric life in heaven we are invited to share.  It is this kind of faith that cured the blind man on the road to Jericho, and inspired St. John to envision the Kingdom of God.  What we must do to achieve this “blessed” life is clear to us.  When we conform our attitudes to Christ and offer our hearts completely and unselfishly to God, we have found the path.  For most of us, this will be a lifelong pursuit in which we never quite get there.  But imagine the reward of the effort and the gift of success.  Today our prayer is that we ceaselessly move in the right direction, toward that “blessed” state when God’s will and ours are united, and we become one with him.  May God’s grace strengthen us on our journey.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is “Christ Healing the Blind” by El Greco, 1570-75.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.