REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 20TH NOVEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 20TH NOVEMBER 2023

1Maccabees 1:10-15.41-43.54-57.62-64; Ps.119; Luke 18:35-43

The Help of God is Irreplaceable

In today’s gospel, we see the encounter between Jesus and the blind man. The name of the man is not mentioned but only his condition. While we are not certain of the reason for this omission, we are however certain of the fact that the man’s condition teaches us something about Jesus.

For reason of his condition, the blind man became a beggar. He could not earn a living and so had to depend on the charity of others. Even as he lived a life of begging, he still was not satisfied. He wanted something more than daily bread. However, not until he heard that Jesus was passing by, his innermost intention was not known, namely, to receive his sight.

Most probably, he never made this request to any of those who gave him alms irrespective of how rich they may be, because, he knew the limit to man’s help. What he desired most was something no man can offer. And so, when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he understood that God was in his midst. It was an opportunity he dare not miss. Here comes that one who can give what man cannot give. For this reason, it was impossible to shut him down. He didn’t care about disobeying those shunning him; he didn’t fear that they may not give him alms anymore; he was convinced that if he gets Jesus’ attention, he wouldn’t need to live on alms anymore. So, he cried out all the more.

Beloved, it will be very unwise of us if we do not know the limit to which man can help us. It is worse when we begin to expect from man what only God can give. This a modernized form of idolatry because we soon begin to give the trust and glory due to God alone to mere mortals. See, the help from man should never make you forget the supremacy of God. When man helps you, he sits to receive your thanks; but when God helps you, man joins you to thank God. Do not be too busy to pray; even when you are sure of man’s help, talk to God still – he has a better offer.

From the blind man in today’s gospel, we learn that no matter the amount of help we receive from others, we should not downgrade our human dignity by making anyone feel that without him/her we cannot survive. Before that person came into your live, you already existed. It is only on God that our existence has always and will always depend. Be bold enough to reject a help that abuses you.