As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” – Matthew 9:27

We all have blind spots or weaknesses. One blind spot I have is often overbooking my calendar. Because I don’t have good foresight on how much I can take, I’d sometimes end up stressed or burnt out.

In today’s Gospel, foresight wasn’t the issue with the blind men, but sight itself. But notice how they called Jesus “Son of David.” This not only identifies Him with the family lineage of King David, but it was also a Messianic title. This meant that He was the long-awaited Deliverer. In modern lingo, these blind men were saying, “You the man!” They knew Jesus is the man, the healer, and they were humble enough to ask for help.

Sadly, there are many today who fail to receive the help they need because of blinding pride. They don’t want to admit or ask that they need help. Friend, humility is the mother of all virtues because it opens us to the love, healing, and blessing of God.

Today, humbly lift your need to the Lord from whom your help comes from. Then see Him respond in faith. Mike Viñas (mikemichaelfcv@yahoo.com)

reflect

The blind men give us a picture of spiritually blind people in various degrees, some more than others, stumbling their way toward Jesus.

Jesus, open my eyes to see how desperately I need You in my life.

Saint Sabas, pray for us.

Isaiah prophesies about a new season of blessing. God never abandons us, no matter how far we stray from Him or how gravely we sin. This is the nature of an all-loving God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive. As we prepare for Christmas and the gift of Jesus from the Father through Mary, let us remember to welcome Jesus with joy into our lives.

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 saysthe 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.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

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)

Gospel | Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Do you believe in miracles? If not, it will be difficult for you to see or experience one because you will probably try to explain it. If Jesus worked miracles during His lifetime, then why wouldn’t He work them for us today? I believe He wants to do this, but we fail to trust in His promise to work miracles in our lives and ministries.

Gospel Acclamation

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.

Read the Bible in one year! Read PROVERBS 1 - 4 today.

The anthropology of St. John Paul II describes the human person as a historical being. “Historical” in this context means an event in the past or a particular moment in time. It means that the human person, endowed with freedom, has the capacity to chart the course of his own history. He has the capacity to choose and, therefore, to plot the trajectory his life can take, in time and in eternity. Historical man is not simply a victim of his circumstances, but a product of his character and choices.

I remember a futuristic movie titled After Earth that was released many years ago. The main character played by Will Smith is a fearless warrior who has totally mastered the art of conquering fear. In one moving scene, where he was encouraging his son (through sophisticated communication gadgets), who was left alone in the jungle amidst surrounding danger, he said, “Son, danger is real, but fear is a choice.”

Today, Jesus healed two blind men in the Gospel. To be blind is to live in darkness, in severe fear—of the unknown, of the unseen. In Jesus’ time, sickness was considered a direct consequence of sin. The blind men in the Gospel had to battle the alienation and isolation brought about by social prejudice. But they desperately approached Jesus and conquered their fear even as they were being prevented from doing so.

As it was said, fear has two meanings: F-forget E-everything A-and R-run. Or F-face E-everything A-and R-rise. The two blind men discovered the latter and so they were no longer blind but witnesses. They also mirror the Advent hope described in the First Reading: “On that day, the deaf shall hear; the words of a scroll, and out of their gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” Fr. Joel Jason

Reflection question

What shapes the direction of your life right now—circumstance or choice?

Lord, give me the strength to “Face Everything And Rise.” Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________