WHY WAIT?

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” – Matthew 9:27

My friend Patricia used to be a youth leader, one of the best and inspiring in fact. But when she started working, things slowly changed. She stopped receiving nourishment from her spiritual family and her life revolved around her high-paying, high-stress job and her boyfriend. Her world crumbled when her boyfriend ended the relationship and she eventually found out that another girl was part of the reason. It was only after that when she started attending the prayer meeting regularly.

       Some people wait for their lives to crumble or for their problems to become so complicated before they start looking for Jesus.

       Some people wait to get sick literally or figuratively before they look for Jesus to help them.

       Some people will wait until they’re at the end of their rope before they think of turning to Jesus.

       Of course, the Lord will never say no to us, but why do you have to allow yourself to experience such anguish and suffering?

       Didn’t the doctors say that prevention is always better than the cure? JPaul Hernandez (jpaulmh@yahoo.com)

 Reflection: What are the areas in your life that you think are not healthy?

St. Nicholas, bishop, pray for us.

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas — a day when some of the northern European countries practice the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. Giving gifts to those we love has become traditional at Christmas. This year, let us think of those who cannot afford this luxury and be generous in supporting their celebration of the birth of Christ. For the sake of the children who have so little, let us seek to be a little more generous this time around.

17 Thus says the Lord God: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! 18 On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. 19 The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, 21 those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. 23 When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. 24 Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

The gift of sight is an amazing reality that most of us take for granted. If we all walk around for a day with a blindfold on, how much more grateful would we be for this amazing gift? Do we need to do something so radical in order to make us appreciate the gift of sight? How many more gifts in life do we have that we do not fully appreciate?

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

27 As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. think:  For the sake of the children who have so little, let us seek to be a little more generous.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Proverbs 9-12

NEVER GIVE UP

When we know something is important to us, we persevere until we get it. No one respects someone who gives up every time things get difficult. People respect those who persevere and see a project through to the end even though it may be difficult. The men in the Gospel wanted Jesus to heal them. They believed Jesus could do this for them, and we know without doubt that they were going to keep following Jesus wherever He went until they were healed of their blindness.

       It is particularly apt that they are blind and, thus, it would not have been easy for them to follow Jesus. It is virtually a sure thing that they would have had someone to guide them. This fact reminds us that there may be times when we need other people to support us in going after our goals in life, and that we, too, may be called to support others in their goals.

       The other aspect of perseverance is that it is inspiring. When I listen to testimonies or stories of perseverance, I get fired up to be more committed in my own ministries and life goals. Let us then remember that our lives can serve as an inspiration for others if we show dedication and commitment to the causes that matter to us. We may never know if we have been such an inspiration to others, but I am sure that as long as we are faithful to God’s calling, that will be the case, whether we know it or not.

       Jesus never sought to draw attention to Himself for the sake of personal fame or glory. Many were drawn to Him because of the integrity of his message and the way He practiced what He preached. We, too, can do this if we set obedience to God’s will as our goal at all costs. The “at all costs” bit is important because, more often than not, if something is worthwhile there will be significant costs involved. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What goals really matter to you? What is God calling you to do in your life? Are you being faithful to these goals and God’s will?

Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to open my heart to all the gifts that God desires me to have in order to reach my goals, and to be obedient to His call on my life.