The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our need today to experience hope for healing within our community and society.
Bringing hope
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a promise of hope for the future.
* [29:17–24] The prophet presents the positive aspects of God’s plan in terms of a series of reversals: an end to pride, ignorance, and injustice. Cf. 32:3–5.1
Psalm 27 is a triumphant song of confidence.
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3).2
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals two blind men.
* [9:27–31] This story was probably composed by Matthew out of Mark’s story of the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46–52). Mark places the event late in Jesus’ ministry, just before his entrance into Jerusalem, and Matthew has followed his Marcan source at that point in his gospel also (see Mt 20:29–34). In each of the Matthean stories the single blind man of Mark becomes two. The reason why Matthew would have given a double version of the Marcan story and placed the earlier one here may be that he wished to add a story of Jesus’ curing the blind at this point in order to prepare for Jesus’ answer to the emissaries of the Baptist (Mt 11:4–6) in which Jesus, recounting his works, begins with his giving sight to the blind.3
Chas Kestermeier, S.J. comments that God has been among us and, for us who believe, He is still visible in His work to heal our broken, bleeding world.
Let us pray from our hearts, from our deepest yearnings, and pray that our God come in visible power to complete His work. But let us pray most especially that He complete that work in each of us so that we may join our brothers and sisters in being about the godly lives He calls us to right now, our radical imitation of Jesus as He continues to bring His reign to fruition in all of creation.4
Don Schwager quotes “They saw because they believed in the Messiah,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"At that point, two blind men follow the Lord as he was passing by. But if they could not see, how could the blind men know of the Lord's departure as well as his name? Moreover, they called him 'Son of David' and asked to be made well. In the two blind men, the entire earlier prefiguration [miracles in Matthew 9:18-26] is complete. The ruler's daughter seems to be from these people, namely, the Pharisees and John's disciples, who already made common cause in testing the Lord. To these unknowing persons the law gave evidence as to the one from whom they sought a cure. It indicated to them that their Savior in the flesh was of the line of David. It also introduced light to the minds of those who were blind from past sins. They could not see Christ but were told about him. The Lord showed them that faith should not be expected as a result of health but health should be expected because of faith. The blind men saw because they believed; they did not believe because they saw. From this we understand that what is requested must be predicated on faith and that faith must not be exercised because of what has been obtained. If they should believe, he offers them sight. And he charges the believers to be silent, for it was exclusively the task of the apostles to preach." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 9.9)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:27-31 comments that invoking Jesus for help is the first part of any healing miracle. That’s why this verse has been used for centuries by the Eastern churches as the basis for prayer. Since at least the sixth century, both religious and laypeople have gone through their days reciting the “Jesus Prayer”: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Then, as you pray, “Have mercy on me, a sinner,” focus on the word “mercy.” When you encounter Jesus, you can’t help but encounter his mercy. His mercy encompasses everything he is—his unfailing love, his forgiveness, his kindness, and his goodness. As you repeat the words of the prayer, receive the Lord’s mercy. Remember, he came not to condemn you but to heal and deliver you. He came to help you “see” the truth that he is all you need. And knowing that is a miracle in itself. “Lord Jesus, open my heart to know you in a deeper way.”6
Friar Jude Winkler connects the restoration promised in Isaiah to the history of the descendants of the patriarchs who had fallen away from God. The faith of the two blind men led to the restoration of their body and spirit. Friar Jude reminds us to invite Jesus to open our eyes that have been blind.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, thinks there are three basic levels of social ministry, and none is better than the other. He believes all are the movement of the Holy Spirit within us for the sake of others.
The important thing is that we all should be doing something for the rest of the world! We have to pay back, particularly those of us born into privilege and comfort. We also must respect and support the other two levels, even if we cannot do them. Avoid all comparisons about better or lesser, more committed or less committed; those are all ego games. Let’s just use our different gifts to create a unity in the work of service (Ephesians 4:12–13), and back one another up, without criticism or competition. Only in our peaceful, mutual honoring do we show forth the glory of God.7
Awareness of the Presence of Jesus invites our call for mercy to heal our weakness of a hopeful vision for peace and love in our community.
References
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