Today's Reflections
The Healing of the Blind Beggar
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Lk 18:35-43
35As [Jesus] approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, 36and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 39The
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!” 40Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” 42Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” 43He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Reflection:
Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him.
As One anointed by the Spirit, Jesus is sent to proclaim “recovery of
sight to the blind” (Lk 4:18). This is one of the works of the Messiah
who proclaims the “jubilee year” of the Lord.
Jesus
is on his way to Jerusalem, where he will suffer and die. Before going
up to the holy city, he passes by the oasis town of Jericho, a necessary
stop for travelers and pilgrims. Here he encounters a blind beggar. The
beggar shouts at the top of his voice because this is the only way he
can be noticed in the thick crowd. The people rebuke him and tell him to
be silent. They are not concerned about him.
But
Jesus is. Jesus, who is presented by Luke as sensitive to the suffering
of the people, hears the pleading of the blind beggar amid the din of
voices. He asks that the man be brought to him. People now pay attention
to the poor man as they see Jesus’ personal concern for him.
The Gospel shows that in his own suffering, Jesus thinks first of others and reaches out to them.
Do you still give a thought
to the beggars and the disabled you pass by
in the busy streets of the city?
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