1 Maccabees 1:10, 15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63, Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158, Luke 18:35-43
1 Maccabees 1:10, 15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
My Beloved, in every age the wicked have profaned all that is good, sacred and true. They have turned their backs on God and live godless lives. Denying their baptismal promises, they have ceased to worship God and have begun to worship themselves and the material world. They laugh at holy things and belittle those who seek to remain faithful, mocking them, persecuting them, denying them their rights and making laws that seek to take away their dignity and freedom. But those who remain faithful You will reward with grace and strength to endure to the end. The light will not go out. The godless will cease to be for their spirit is dead. The faithful will live with You forever.
Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
My Beloved, the number of those counted among the wicked are so vast that they are able to deny the faithful their rights., Having forsaken the commandments of Love of God and neighbor they sin with impunity. They are enraged by those who remain true to You and watch them night and day setting traps to snare and destroy them. Grant strength to Your faithful ones to they can withstand the onslaught of the enemy and remain faithful to You.
The days of the wicked does seem to go on forever. There is no end to their hatred and cruelty. Hasten to help us Lord lest we perish. Our numbers are too few and we are helpless, do not let Your remnant be destroyed. Do not let evil rule the world that You have redeemed at the cost of Your life.
Luke 18:35-43
My Beloved, the blind man sitting beside the road is symbol of those who have not heard of You but are favorably disposed to receiving the Good News. The man was attuned to what was happening around him and having been informed what the commotion was about, and having heard of You, he seized his opportunity. You were passing by he had faith in Your power. He had faith based on the testimony of others. He believed.
He represents all those who are weak whose voices are silenced by a selfish crowd who refuse to see the need of the man and seek to shut him up considering him a nuisance. But a persistent faith will always be rewarded as is once again demonstrated in the Gospel. You hear the cries of distress and hope. You response is immediate, You ask the crowd who at first refused to acknowledge him, to bring him to You. You asked the man what it was he wanted although it was obvious that he desired to have his sight restored. You desire that we articulate our need, certain of what we desire and You want us to ask in humility. The man made his need known to You and You rewarded him with much more than he asked for, physical and spiritual healing. He followed You praising God and those who saw his unbridled joy began to praise You as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment