Today's Readings
Monday of the thirty third week in ordinary time
Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Ps 1:1-4, 6 (with Rev. 2:17)
Luke 18:35-43
He kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Good for him! Here was a blind beggar who was treated poorly by many. He was treated as if he were no good and a sinner. When he began to call out for mercy from Jesus, he was told to be silent by those around him. But what did the blind man do? Did he give in to their oppression and ridicule? Certainly not. Instead, “He kept calling out all the more!” And Jesus took notice of his faith and healed him.
There is a great lesson from this man’s life for us all. There are many things we will encounter in life that get us down, discourage us and tempt us to despair. There are many things that are oppressive to us and difficult for us to deal with. So what should we do? Should we give in to the struggle and then retreat into a hole of self-pity?
Yet he did not lose hope nor did his faith in God waver. The intensity of his cry increased until the Lord reached out to him. During our moments of trial when prayer seems hard, we need to draw inspiration from the blind man and simply repeat, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This short formulaic prayer is known as the Jesus Prayer or Prayer of the Heart and has been used through centuries in the Church.
To pray in this way one does not need knowledge of theology, complex techniques of mediation or the luxury of solitude. This prayer can be said by anybody and at any and all time. Whether while washing clothes, travelling by bus, waiting for an appointment or while laying on your couch; this prayer can go on in our mind. In this way we will be praying unceasingly. If you find yourself getting distracted by different thoughts, pray all the more fervently like the blind man and soon you will enjoy bliss in the presence of God. This prayer strengthens spiritual life and helps overcome bad habits.
The power of this prayer comes not only from its content, but from the very invocation of the name of Jesus. This is founded on the biblical view that God’s name is conceived as the place of his presence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “When the holy name is repeated often by a humble attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases, but holds fast to the word and ‘brings forth fruit with patience.’ This prayer is possible ‘at all times’ because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation: that of loving God, which animates and transfigures every action in Christ Jesus.”
This blind man gives us the perfect witness of what we should do. When we feel oppressed, discouraged, frustrated, misunderstood, or the like, we need to use this as an opportunity to turn to Jesus with even greater passion and courage calling upon His mercy.
Difficulties in life can have one of two effects on us. Either they beat us down or they make us stronger. The way they make us stronger is by fostering within our souls an even greater trust in and dependence upon the mercy of God.
Reflect, today, upon that which tempts you the most toward discouragement. What is it that feels oppressive to you and difficult to deal with. Use that struggle as an opportunity to cry out with even more passion and zeal for the mercy and grace of God.
Lord, it’s hard for me to believe that you make yourself available to me in prayer, and that you offer me your power, your grace, and your forgiveness whenever I ask. Please deepen my understanding so that I may love you more and more each day. In my weakness and struggle, help me to turn to You with even more passion. Help me to rely upon You all the more in times of distress and frustration in life. May the wickedness and harshness of this world only strengthen my resolve to turn to You in all things. Jesus, I trust in You.
Today by God's grace, take some time to reflect on your answer to the question He asks you: “What do you want me to do for you?” The Lord be with you. Have a wonderful week.
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