The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek revelation from the Spirit about changes we need on our journey in Jesus Way.
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The reading from the Book of Revelation presents the Message to Ephesus.
* [2:1–7] The letter to Ephesus praises the members of the church there for their works and virtues, including discerning false teachers (Rev 2:2–3), but admonishes them to repent and return to their former devotion (Rev 2:4–5). It concludes with a reference to the Nicolaitans (see note on Rev 2:6) and a promise that the victor will have access to eternal life (Rev 2:7). (Revelation, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Psalm 1 declares the Two Ways.
* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death. (Psalms, PSALM 1, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho.
* [18:38] Son of David: the blind beggar identifies Jesus with a title that is related to Jesus’ role as Messiah (see note on Lk 2:11). Through this Son of David, salvation comes to the blind man. Note the connection between salvation and house of David mentioned earlier in Zechariah’s canticle (Lk 1:69). See also note on Mt 9:27. (Luke, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)
Nancy Shirley comments that Faith is basic to everything we do.
I thought about Viktor Frankl and his book, Man’s Search for Meaning. As I recall, it was on the list I received prior to starting my freshman year of college – a list of books that was recommended as “prerequisite” for incoming freshmen. Always the compliant, obedient student, I read many of them that summer including Frankl’s. Obviously, my lens of the world was very different in 1967 from what it is now. However, I do remember even then of being struck by the idea that faith can, indeed, prevail in all circumstances. I was moved then and still now by the ability of some to survive such circumstances not just physically but mentally and emotionally. The lesson of faith – realizing that our meaning is beyond our current circumstances, our current life – that our meaning (for me based on the faith and belief in a loving Father) is something that transcends this seemingly finite life. Our meaning is based on relationships especially that with my Father and how I reflect that relationship in this world – how do I give praise to God. Hopefully, it is reflected in my life and evident to others that I am a blessed Child of God. (Shirley, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “The blind man knows that Jesus is the Son of David and the Messiah,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The blind man must have understood that the sight of the blind cannot be restored by human means but requires, on the contrary, a divine power and an authority such as God only possesses. With God nothing whatsoever is impossible. The blind man came near to him as to the omnipotent God. How then does he call him the Son of David? What can one answer to this? The following is perhaps the explanation. Since he was born and raised in Judaism, of course, the predictions contained in the law and the holy prophets concerning Christ had not escaped his knowledge. He heard them chant that passage in the book of the Psalms, 'The Lord has sworn in truth to David, and will not annul it, saying: "of the fruit of your loins I will set a king upon your throne"' (Psalm 132:11).
"The blind man also knew that the blessed prophet Isaiah said, 'There will spring up a shoot from the root of Jesse, and from his root a flower will grow up' (Isaiah 11:1). Isaiah also said, 'Behold, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us' (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). He already believed that the Word, being God, of his own will had submitted to be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin. He now comes near to him as to God and says, 'Have mercy on me, Son of David.' Christ testifies that this was his state of mind in offering his petition. He said to him, 'Your faith has saved you.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 126) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:35-43 comments that we too have hope in Jesus. We believe in his power and mercy. But do we know our need like this man did? Sometimes our need is not immediately clear because we have learned to live with our spiritual blindness. Or we might ask for something in a vague, general way. Or maybe we are too busy looking to the needs of others. We can even begin to think that we are doing fine, and Jesus has more important things to do than bother with us. But we would be wrong.
Jesus has one question for you today: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41). What would you shout out to Jesus? “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me . . . and cure me of cancer!” “Jesus, heal my relationship with my son!” “Jesus, have mercy on me and free me of my addiction.” Or even “Jesus, Son of David, cut through the indifference that keeps me from seeing how much I need you.”
Don’t wait on the sidelines wondering if Jesus will ever heal you. Be like this man in today’s Gospel who, against the opposition of the crowd, called out to Jesus and appealed to his power and mercy. And like this man, be clear on how deeply you need Jesus and what you want him to do for you. Let him say to you, as he did to this poor man, “Your faith has saved you” (Luke 18:42).
“Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all God’s promises. Have mercy on me and heal me of _________. Lord, I want to see!” (Meditation on Luke 18:35-43, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the Greek word for “revelation” apokalypsis explains the other name for this Book of Scripture. Apocalyptic literature in the first century was most likely written under a pseudonym, in this case, John (of Patmos). The use of the perfect number, 7, suggests the letter is written to the universal church. Friar Jude reminds us that the first person to recognize Jesus on His Journey to Jerusalm is a blind Man who is saved through receiving bothe physical and spiritual healing.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, who is passionate about the church rediscovering itself as a movement of Jesus. Curry identifies several characteristics of the Jesus movement [1].
First, the movement was Christ-centered—completely focused on Jesus and his way. . . . Long before Christianity was ever called the Church, or even Christianity, it was called “the Way” [see Acts 9:2]. The way of Jesus was the way. The Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of God, that sweet, sweet Spirit, infused their spirits and took over. . . .
The second mark of the movement is this: following the way of Jesus, they abolished poverty and hunger in their community. Some might say they made poverty history. The Acts of the Apostles calls this abolition of poverty one of the “signs and wonders” which became an invitation to others to follow Jesus too, and change the world. . . . It didn’t take a miracle. The Bible says they simply shared everything they had [Acts 4:32–35]. The movement moved them in that particular way.
Third, they learned how to become more than a collection of individual self-interests. They found themselves becoming a countercultural community, one where Jews and Gentiles, circumcised and uncircumcised, had equal standing [see Acts 15:1–12].
Curry concludes, taking inspiration from the early church for our own moment:
Ministry in this moment . . . has to serve more than an institution. It has to serve the movement. (Rohr, 2022)
We seek the clarity of vision that the Blind Man demonstrated to continue our conversion in faith and love.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18?35
Meditation on Luke 18:35-43. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/14/533303/
Psalms, PSALM 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1
Revelation, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/2
Rohr, R. (2022, November 14). Jesus Started a Movement — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-started-a-movement-2022-11-14/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov14
Shirley, N. (2022, November 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111422.html
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