Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial for Saint Margaret of Scotland)

 

Proper for the Memorial of St. Margaret of Scotland

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

 

Readings for Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63

 

Commentary on 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63

 

This reading from the First Book of Maccabees describes the introduction of Hellenistic traditions into Israel, the attempt to suppress Hebrew Tradition, desecration of the Temple with idols, and persecution of those who attempt to retain their faith and traditions.  The verses selected omit some of the classic Hebrew poetry included in this book and the final verses are actually part of a Hymn of praise for those who resist the attempt by the Seleucid Kings to eliminate Mosaic Law.

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158

 

R. (see 88) Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

 

Commentary on Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158

 

David’s lament in Psalm 119 speaks of attempts by the Gentiles to force him to become apostate and recant his faith in the Law.  He reiterates his faith and calls upon God for help.  Those held in greatest contempt are not the gentiles but the Hebrews who turn away from the Law, violating the covenant.

 

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Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

 

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 being 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:

 

Did anyone notice the way the last line in the Gospel was phrased?  “When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.”  Let’s think about this incident and picture what took place.  There was a blind man sitting at the road side begging.  Someone tells him that Jesus is coming down the road.  The first thing we notice is that the blind man knew more than “Jesus of Nazareth” was coming down the road.  We know this because of the way he was addressed.

 

The blind man did not simply call out – “Jesus help me!”  If it were simply someone famous coming down the road, the blind man would have begged for alms – “Alms for the blind” he might have called.  But he called “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”   This was not a simple designation that he knew Jesus was Jewish.  That call would have been “Jesus son of Abraham.”  No, this blind man knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed one from the house and line of David.

 

The call stops Jesus in his tracks.  He must be very tense, knowing that he is heading to Jerusalem for the final time to demonstrate the truth of what this blind man has just announced.  And that call “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” would not have been lost on the crowd around him.  So when Jesus said to the man “Have sight, your faith has saved you,” the crowd did not see Jesus as the one who had restored the man’s sight but rather God: “…all the people gave praise to God.”  There were no shouts of praise for Jesus who was God’s instrument.  He had communicated to them clearly that it was the Father who restored the blind man.

 

The story, of course, is a great message for us.  As we attempt to use God’s gifts to do the Lord’s will in the world, it must be God’s glory we seek, not our own.  It would be like taking credit for inventing and building the car you drove.  No, our task is first to seek God’s greater glory; in doing so we receive his grace and the blessings of eternal life.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Christ Healing the Blind” by El Greco, 1570-75