THURSDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life. JN8:12

ECCLESIASTICUS 42:15-26 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

All that lives, moves and has being, the glory of nature, the splendor of the sun, moon, and stars, the birds of the air, the creatures on earth and in the seas were all created by the utterance of the Word. He spoke and all that He desired came to be. And I, too, am part of this wonderful creation with an eternal destiny.

Everything in nature is good and beautiful and a marvel to behold and human beings are the crown of Your creation. All life belongs to God and all life will return to Him and nothing in all creation was created without a purpose - which is to glorify You, the Father, and the Spirit.

No living thing can fail to praise You, Lord, for we are surrounded by the works of Your hands and they prompt us to contemplate You with wonder and awe. 

Thank You for creating me and thank You for my eternal destiny. May I never cease to praise the wonder of Your love every moment that I live and when I die I will open my eyes and behold You face to face and my praise will be everlasting.

They all live and last for ever,

whatever the circumstances all obey him.
All things go in pairs, by opposites,
and he has made nothing defective;
the one consolidates the excellence of the other,
who could ever be sated with gazing at his glory?

PSALM 33:2-9 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Just as the heavens were made by the power of the Eternal Word uttered by God so too was the world and all that is in it. As part of creation may my voice be always raised in praise of the awesome love of God for me and the power of God that holds all of creation in place by the power of His Word and the Breath of the Spirit.

O God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Word that nestles in Your bosom eternally, thank You for creating me and for reserving a place for me in Your Kingdom. Thank You for the life You have given me and for the love that has been shown me from the moment I first drew breath.

As beautiful as the heavens with the sun, moon, and stars, as wondrous as the oceans are - nothing is as wondrous and beautiful as human beings. You have given us an eternal soul, and the ability to look around us and appreciate all the works of Your hands.  To us is given the ability to praise the Creator of the heavens and the earth and in this we glorify You. Keep us safe in Your love until we return to You.

MARK 10:46-52 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Faith in You is more pleasing to the Father than any sacrifices we make. When we believe in You and Your Word we will experience the power of faith accomplishing the impossible. You have assured us that faith as small as a mustard seed has the power to move mountains. 

Today's Gospel that narrates the entire sequence of events that led to the healing of the blind beggar Bartimaeus teaches us the power of believing in You and of making our needs known to You fearlessly regardless of any impediments that may be placed in our way. 

Bartimaeus heard of You and the miracles You performed and was determined to be counted among those You had healed. It was not just wishful thinking. He kept track of Your movements and when he found out that where You would be passing he made sure that he was there, sitting by the road in hopeful anticipation. Soon he heard the sound of the large crowd and knew that the moment of his deliverance had arrived and he seized his opportunity and shouted in a loud voice so he could be heard above the din of the crowd:

‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ 

There will always be those who are embarrassed by those who make them uncomfortable by a visible, audible faith of those whose cry of the heart will not be silenced despite the shushing sounds of those around them. Just as the people tried to quiet Bartimaeus. But the more they scolded him the louder he shouted, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ 

You hear every sigh and You most certainly heard the desperate cry calling out to You. You stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ It was then that the crowd became sympathetic and said to him, ‘Courage, get up; he is calling you.’ He did not need to be told twice. Throwing aside the only material possession he owned, his cloak, he jumped up and went to You. And as You so often do, You asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’  We need to be clear about what we desire and we must be able to articulate it. The man said, ‘Rabbuni, Master, let me see again.’ That is all it took. You looked at him and said, 'Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

Once we have encountered You, once You have healed us and restored our spiritual well-being, we, like Bartimaeus must become Your disciples, follow You, and never cease to tell the whole world what You have done for us and how You saved us.