Readings for Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12
St. Peter uses Old Testament imagery to encourage his audience. He begins with “…you have tasted that the Lord is good” borrowed from Psalm 34:8 and continues with the cornerstone image from Isaiah 28:16. He tells them to simply follow God’s call, letting themselves be built (not an active image but passive) into what God wishes.
The footnote from the NAB captures more cross-references in the concluding verses; “The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: "a chosen race" (cf Isaiah 43:20-21) indicates their divine election (Eph 1:4-6); "a royal priesthood" (cf Exodus 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; "a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf Malachi 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being "no people" deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf Hosea 1:9; 2:23).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
We have the beginning of Ps. 100, a song of praise. In this section we praise God because He created us. We praise God because he continues to guide us. It affirms God’s saving grace given to His sons and daughters through all generations.
Gospel Mark 10:46-52
In St. Mark’s story of the cure of the blind man (see also Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43) it is the way he addresses Jesus that becomes the focus. We are told he address him as “Son of David”. This is the messianic title applied by Jewish tradition to the one who comes to “heal the blind and the lame and set the prisoners free” Isaiah 42;6-7). In response to the blind man’s request “Master, I want to see”, in an almost casual way Jesus tells him his faith has saved him and the blind man sees. Not surprisingly the now sighted man follows Jesus.
Homily:
Students who will be assisting the blind are frequently required to spend an extended period (perhaps a couple days) blindfolded, completely without sight or light, to help them understand what it feels like for their future charges. There are few things in life we would miss more than our ability to see. While those physically without sight have learned to compensate for their lack of sight with other senses and aids, those of us who see today would be in a pretty sorry state if tomorrow we woke up and the world was dark.
Most are probably thinking, “Yes, I know Jesus did the blind man a huge service by restoring his sight.” And of course you would be right. But let us look at this action metaphorically for a moment. Let us assume that it is not physical sight that was restored but the light of truth that was given. Perhaps what the blind man received was not just the ability to perceive the world around him, but the ability to understand what God wanted for him. Just as a sighted person can see danger and avoid it, so the enlightened person can see spiritual danger and avoid it. Recall, St. Peter even mentioned this in his letter; “…keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul”. The ability to see and avoid these dangers comes from our spiritual sight, sight only the Lord can give.
The very good news is that he offers this gift to us freely. It is enhanced through sacramental grace, like corrective lenses or laser eye surgery, we see more clearly as a result of the special grace given in the sacraments. Today as we recall how Jesus gave sight to the blind, we pray that he will continue to shed his light on our path so that we might not stumble as we walk with him.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Christ Healing the Blind Man” by Eustache Le Sueur, c. 1650
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12
St. Peter uses Old Testament imagery to encourage his audience. He begins with “…you have tasted that the Lord is good” borrowed from Psalm 34:8 and continues with the cornerstone image from Isaiah 28:16. He tells them to simply follow God’s call, letting themselves be built (not an active image but passive) into what God wishes.
The footnote from the NAB captures more cross-references in the concluding verses; “The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: "a chosen race" (cf Isaiah 43:20-21) indicates their divine election (Eph 1:4-6); "a royal priesthood" (cf Exodus 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; "a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf Malachi 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being "no people" deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf Hosea 1:9; 2:23).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
We have the beginning of Ps. 100, a song of praise. In this section we praise God because He created us. We praise God because he continues to guide us. It affirms God’s saving grace given to His sons and daughters through all generations.
Gospel Mark 10:46-52
In St. Mark’s story of the cure of the blind man (see also Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43) it is the way he addresses Jesus that becomes the focus. We are told he address him as “Son of David”. This is the messianic title applied by Jewish tradition to the one who comes to “heal the blind and the lame and set the prisoners free” Isaiah 42;6-7). In response to the blind man’s request “Master, I want to see”, in an almost casual way Jesus tells him his faith has saved him and the blind man sees. Not surprisingly the now sighted man follows Jesus.
Homily:
Students who will be assisting the blind are frequently required to spend an extended period (perhaps a couple days) blindfolded, completely without sight or light, to help them understand what it feels like for their future charges. There are few things in life we would miss more than our ability to see. While those physically without sight have learned to compensate for their lack of sight with other senses and aids, those of us who see today would be in a pretty sorry state if tomorrow we woke up and the world was dark.
Most are probably thinking, “Yes, I know Jesus did the blind man a huge service by restoring his sight.” And of course you would be right. But let us look at this action metaphorically for a moment. Let us assume that it is not physical sight that was restored but the light of truth that was given. Perhaps what the blind man received was not just the ability to perceive the world around him, but the ability to understand what God wanted for him. Just as a sighted person can see danger and avoid it, so the enlightened person can see spiritual danger and avoid it. Recall, St. Peter even mentioned this in his letter; “…keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul”. The ability to see and avoid these dangers comes from our spiritual sight, sight only the Lord can give.
The very good news is that he offers this gift to us freely. It is enhanced through sacramental grace, like corrective lenses or laser eye surgery, we see more clearly as a result of the special grace given in the sacraments. Today as we recall how Jesus gave sight to the blind, we pray that he will continue to shed his light on our path so that we might not stumble as we walk with him.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Christ Healing the Blind Man” by Eustache Le Sueur, c. 1650
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