The blind man in today’s Gospel reading. The crowd is the barrier to his prayer.

Despite these formidable obstacles, the blind man perseveres.

God eventually hears the prayer of a person who perseveres.

Jesus cures him without hesitation. 

 

 The Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome, apostles 

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5

God gave it to him

To let his servants know what is soon to take place. He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John, who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God, and the declaration of Jesus Christ.

Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words, and happy those who hear them, and treasure everything written here, for the time is near.

 

From John, to the seven churches of Asia: receive grace and peace from him who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits of God, which are before his throne.

Write this, to the angel of the church in Ephesus, "Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden lamp stands:

 

I know your works, your difficulties and your patient suffering. I know, you cannot tolerate evildoers, but have tested those who call themselves apostles, and have proved them to be liars. You have persevered, and have suffered for my name without losing heart.

 

Nevertheless, I have this complaint against you: you have lost your first love. Remember from where you have fallen and repent, and do what you used to do before. If not, I will come to you, and remove your lamp stand from its place; this, I will do, unless you repent.

 

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6 Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊

Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by he inquired what was happening, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The people in front of him scolded him. "Be quiet!" they said, but he cried out all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

Jesus stopped, and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the man said, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus said, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you." At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Have mercy on me."

The blind man healed by Jesus in Jericho is known by the name Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Mark (cf. Mk 10:46- 52). In today's Gospel, this blind man is nameless. Moreover, Jesus' name is mentioned and is associated with another name, David. The blind man cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (v. 38) One may wonder where this blind man got the idea that enabled him to associate Jesus with David.

 

The blind man, at the beginning of the pericope, was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. The word Nazareth is being associated with the Hebrew term NZR by some commentators. NZR is also the term that may refer to a "bud," which symbolizes hope.

 

This reminds us of the prophecy of Isaiah, "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom." (Isa 11:1) We may reflect on the point that when the blind man was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, the blind man's immediate thought was the fact that Jesus not only came from the Davidic line but he was also the hope of those who are in the dark.