Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 337
Lectionary: 337
Know this, my dear brothers and sisters:
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.
He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets
what he looked like.
But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,
and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts;
such a one shall be blessed in what he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue
but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.
He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets
what he looked like.
But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,
and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts;
such a one shall be blessed in what he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue
but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
R. (1b) Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
“Do you see anything?”
Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
“Do you see anything?”
Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
Meditation: "The
blind man was restored, and saw everything clear"
What's worse than physical blindness? Blindness of heart and
soul for sure! A blind man is led to Jesus by some of his friends. Without
their help he could not have found the one who could restore his sight.Jesus
understood the fears and hopes of this blind man who begged him to
touch him. The blind in a special way perceive the power of touch.
Jesus shows considerateness in bringing this man to a place away from the
skeptics and gawkers. His sight is restored in stages as he responds to Jesus'
healing touch. Mark records this remarkable miracle in three short phrases: He
looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clearly.Jesus sent him
home with a warning to avoid the company of those who live in spiritual
darkness. Are there any blindspots in your life that cloud your vision of God
and his kingdom? Allow the Lord Jesus to touch you with his grace and power
that you may walk in the light of his redeeming truth and love.
Jerome, an early church bible scholar (347-420 AD), explains the
spiritual significance of this healing for us: "Christ laid his hands upon
his eyes that he might see all things clearly, so through visible things he
might understand things invisible, which the eye has not seen, that after the
film of sin is removed, he might clearly behold the state of his soul with the
eye of a clean heart."
"Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the revelation of your healing
presence and saving word. Help me to walk according to your truth and to not
stumble in the darkness of sin. May I help others find your healing light and
saving presence."
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Jesus, His Way |
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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
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 Father Scott Reilly, LC
Mark 8:22-26
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, they
brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. Jesus took the blind
man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes
he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" Looking
up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking." Then
he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was
restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and
said, "Do not even go into the village."
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I
believe you are leading me, but sometimes I sense insecurity creeping within
me. So I renew my confidence in you once more. I know that you can desire
only what is good for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. In return,
take my love and my desire to please you in everything.
Petition: Deepen my humility and increase my trust in you, dear Jesus!
1. Jesus Leads: From the
very get-go, we push ahead for self-sufficiency. Think of a little child who
strives to walk by himself, without his parents helping him keep his balance.
In the spiritual life, it’s the opposite: We need to reach out to Christ for
guidance, support and strength. Admitting our faults can be a humbling, but
fruitful experience. Pride prevents us from doing this gracefully, but––have
faith––if we do, Jesus will unleash his power within our lives. “Holiness is
not in one exercise or another, it consists in a disposition of the heart,
which renders us humble and little in the hands of God, conscious of our
weakness but confident, even daringly confident, in his fatherly goodness”
(St. Therese of Lisieux).
2. Patience, God has a Plan: “I want
it now” is a modern cliché. Our wanting it now, though, doesn’t always work
with God. His plan is a plan for our greater good—even if it isn’t our plan.
The blind man’s sight wasn’t healed instantly, but gradually. How we want to
be holy now and never return to the valley of filth and pride! Yet we seem to
fall again and again. Holiness is always a work in progress, but that doesn’t
faze Jesus. He knows the power his grace can work in our lives. Simply turn
your difficulties over to him and keep trying. Our failures teach us to be
humble, and this can only bring us closer to God. “This I know very well:
although I should have on my soul all the crimes that could be committed, I
would lose none of my confidence; rather, I would hasten, with my heart
broken into pieces by sorrow, to cast myself into the arms of my Savior. I
know how greatly he loved the prodigal son; I have marked his words to Mary
Magdalene, to the adulterous woman, to the Samaritan. No, no one could make
me afraid, because I know to whom to cling by reason of his love and mercy. I
know that all this multitude of offenses would disappear in the twinkling of
an eye, as a drop in a roaring furnace” (St. Therese of Lisieux).
3. Humble Jesus: He tells
the man not to go into the village. Is Jesus afraid or in a hurry? No, his
humility simply beckons him to move on quietly without anyone knowing. Jesus
is fascinated with humility and thus practices it. We, on the other hand,
love to get the credit; we crave recognition. Simply enter a professional
office and behold the recognition plaques lining the walls like wallpaper.
Jesus had no plaques; he had only a reputation of doing good deeds. He
teaches us the power of purity of intention, which shuns any type of
self-aggrandizement.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus,
help me to abandon myself to your care; I trust in you completely. Knowing
that I am weak and you are my strength gives me confidence. Help me to keep
in mind that I am little and you are great. You are the one who deserves the
glory, and you ought to be the protagonist in my life. Help me to go about
quietly doing good like you.
Resolution: I will
make an act of charity, praying, “Jesus, I do this only because I want to
prove my love for you.”
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,
MARK 8:22-26
(James 1:19-27; Psalm 15)
(James 1:19-27; Psalm 15)
KEY VERSE: "Then he laid his hands on him a second time and he saw clearly" (v 25).
READING: In Mark's gospel, Jesus' disciples appeared to be blind to his' mission. The two-stage healing of the blind man can be read alongside the gradual enlightenment of the disciples. When a sightless man was brought to Jesus, his friends begged him to touch and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village, away from the crowd who were merely curious onlookers. The man could not see where he was going, but he put his trust in Jesus. Jesus began the healing process by putting spittle on the man's eyes and laying his hands on him (in Jesus’ day, saliva was thought to have curative powers). At first the man was unable to see clearly, but when Jesus laid his hands upon him a second day, the man's sight was restored. Jesus' disciples would come to a fuller understanding of him with the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.
REFLECTING: Am I patient with the slow spiritual growth of myself and others?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to your actions in my life.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Strong Emotions
We don't always act well toward those closest to us. That does not
mean we are emotional misfits. Emotions that are tightly yoked to a loved one
elicit not only our best but sometimes are worst.
The just shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord
How many scenes can we recall when Jesus cured someone?We have one in today’s gospel: Jesus cures a blind man at Bethsaida. People remember it because initially the blind man says he starts to see people ‘like trees walking about’. Then Jesus lays his hands on the man’s eyes again and he sees everything plainly and distinctly. What a wonderful moment for this man and his friends! For us, the scene may remind us that our faith journey may still have two stages of growth—partial and mature. We may wonder if this is true. It helps if we allow Jesus to take us by the hand and lead us to see his face and the world around us with his eyes.
February
19
St. Conrad of Piacenza
(1290-1350)
St. Conrad of Piacenza
(1290-1350)
Born of a noble family in northern Italy, Conrad as a young man
married Euphrosyne, daughter of a nobleman.
One day
while hunting he ordered attendants to set fire to some brush in order to flush
out the game. The fire spread to nearby fields and to a large forest. Conrad
fled. An innocent peasant was imprisoned, tortured to confess and condemned to
death. Conrad confessed his guilt, saved the man’s life and paid for the
damaged property.
Soon
after this event, Conrad and his wife agreed to separate: she to a Poor Clare
monastery and he to a group of hermits following the Third Order Rule. His
reputation for holiness, however, spread quickly. Since his many visitors
destroyed his solitude, Conrad went to a more remote spot in Sicily where he lived
36 years as a hermit, praying for himself and for the rest of the world.
Prayer
and penance were his answer to the temptations that beset him. Conrad died
kneeling before a crucifix. He was canonized in 1625.
Comment:
Francis of Assisi was drawn both to contemplation and to a life of preaching; periods of intense prayer nourished his preaching. Some of his early followers, however, felt called to a life of greater contemplation, and he accepted that. Though Conrad of Piacenza is not the norm in the Church, he and other contemplatives remind us of the greatness of God and of the joys of heaven.
Francis of Assisi was drawn both to contemplation and to a life of preaching; periods of intense prayer nourished his preaching. Some of his early followers, however, felt called to a life of greater contemplation, and he accepted that. Though Conrad of Piacenza is not the norm in the Church, he and other contemplatives remind us of the greatness of God and of the joys of heaven.
Quote:
Pope Paul VI’s 1969 Instruction on the Contemplative Life includes this passage: "To withdraw into the desert is for Christians tantamount to associating themselves more intimately with Christ’s passion, and it enables them, in a very special way, to share in the paschal mystery and in the passage of Our Lord from this world to the heavenly homeland" (#1).
Pope Paul VI’s 1969 Instruction on the Contemplative Life includes this passage: "To withdraw into the desert is for Christians tantamount to associating themselves more intimately with Christ’s passion, and it enables them, in a very special way, to share in the paschal mystery and in the passage of Our Lord from this world to the heavenly homeland" (#1).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 8,22-26
Lectio:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
you have promised to remain for ever
with those who do what is just and right.
Help us to live in your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
God our Father,
you have promised to remain for ever
with those who do what is just and right.
Help us to live in your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Mark 8,22-26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then, putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, 'Can you see anything?'
The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I can see people; they look like trees as they walk around.'
Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, 'Do not even go into the village.'
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then, putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, 'Can you see anything?'
The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I can see people; they look like trees as they walk around.'
Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, 'Do not even go into the village.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today gives an account of the cure of a blind man. This episode of a cure constitutes the beginning of a long instruction of Jesus to the disciples (Mk 8, 27 to 10,45) and then ends with the cure of another blind man (Mk 10, 46-52). In this broader context, Mark suggests to the readers that those who are truly blind are Peter and the other disciples. All of us are blind! They do not understand the proposal of Jesus when he spoke about the suffering and the cross. Peter accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but not as a suffering Messiah (Mk 8, 27-33). He was also affected by the propaganda of the time which only spoke of a messiah, of a glorious king. Peter seemed to be blind. He understood nothing, but wanted Jesus to be as he wanted.
• The Gospel today indicates how difficult it was to cure the first blind man. Jesus had to cure this man in two different stages. The cure of the disciples was also difficult. Jesus had to give a long explanation concerning the significance of the Cross to help them understand, because what really produced blindness in them was the Cross.
• In the year 70, when Mark wrote, the situation of the communities was not easy. There was much suffering, many crosses. Six years before, in 64, the Emperor, Nero had decreed the first great persecution, and many Christians were killed. In the year 70, in Palestine, the Romans were destroying Jerusalem. In the other countries, a great tension between the converted Jews and the non-converted Jews was beginning. The greatest difficulty was the Cross of Jesus. The Jews thought that a crucified person could not be the Messiah who was so awaited by the people, because the law affirmed that all the crucified persons should be considered persons condemned by God (Dt 21, 22-23).
• Mark 8, 22-26: The cure of a blind man. They brought a blind man, asking Jesus to cure him. Jesus cured him, but in a different way. First of all he took him outside the village. Then he put some spittle on the eyes, he placed his hands on him and asked: Do you see something? The man answered: I see men; in fact, they seem like trees that walk! He could see only in part. He exchanged trees for persons, or persons for trees! Only in a second moment Jesus cures the blind man and prohibits him to enter the village. Jesus did not want an easy propaganda.
• As it has been said, this description of the cure of the blind man acts as an introduction to the long instruction of Jesus to cure the blindness of the disciples, and at the end he finishes with the cure of another blind man, Bartimaeus. In reality the blind man was Peter. We are all blind. Peter did not want the commitment of the Cross! And we, do we understand the significance of suffering in life?
• Between the two cures of the blind men (Mk 8, 22-26 and Mk 10, 46-52), is found a long instruction on the Cross (Mk 8, 27 to 10, 45). It seems a catechism, made of phrases of Jesus himself. He speaks about the Cross in the life of the disciple. The long instruction consists of three announcements of the Passion. The first one is that of Mark 8, 27-38. The second is of Mark 9, 30-37. The third one is in Mark 10, 32-45. Between the first one and the second, there is a series of instructions which indicate the type of conversion that should take place in the life of those who accept Jesus, Messiah Servant (Mk 9, 38 to 10, 31):
Mk 8, 22-26: the cure of a blind man
Mk 8, 27-38: first announcement of the Cross
Mk 9, 1-29: instructions to the disciples on the Messiah Servant
Mk 9, 30-37: second announcement of the Cross
Mk 9, 38 to 10, 31: instructions to the disciples on conversion
Mk 10, 32-45: third announcement of the Cross
Mk 10, 46-52: the cure of the blind man Bartimaeus
The whole of this instruction has as a background the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. From the beginning to the end of this long instruction, Mark tells us that Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, where he is going to suffer his death (Mk 8, 27; 9, 30.33; 10, 1.17.32). The full understanding of the following of Jesus is not obtained by theoretical ideas, but by the practical commitment, walking like him along the way of service, from Galilee up to Jerusalem. Any one who insists in keeping the idea of Peter, that is, of a glorious Messiah without the cross, will understand nothing and will never be able to have the attitude of a true disciple. He will continue to be blind, exchanging persons for trees (Mk 8, 24). Because without the cross it is impossible to understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Jesus.
The journey of the following is the road of the gift of self, of abandonment, of service, of availability, of acceptance of conflict, knowing that there will be resurrection. The cross is not an accident on the way, but forms part of this road. Because in a world organized beginning from egoism, love and service can exist only crucified! Anyone who makes of his life a service to others, disturbs, bothers those who lived attached to privileges, and suffer.
• The Gospel today gives an account of the cure of a blind man. This episode of a cure constitutes the beginning of a long instruction of Jesus to the disciples (Mk 8, 27 to 10,45) and then ends with the cure of another blind man (Mk 10, 46-52). In this broader context, Mark suggests to the readers that those who are truly blind are Peter and the other disciples. All of us are blind! They do not understand the proposal of Jesus when he spoke about the suffering and the cross. Peter accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but not as a suffering Messiah (Mk 8, 27-33). He was also affected by the propaganda of the time which only spoke of a messiah, of a glorious king. Peter seemed to be blind. He understood nothing, but wanted Jesus to be as he wanted.
• The Gospel today indicates how difficult it was to cure the first blind man. Jesus had to cure this man in two different stages. The cure of the disciples was also difficult. Jesus had to give a long explanation concerning the significance of the Cross to help them understand, because what really produced blindness in them was the Cross.
• In the year 70, when Mark wrote, the situation of the communities was not easy. There was much suffering, many crosses. Six years before, in 64, the Emperor, Nero had decreed the first great persecution, and many Christians were killed. In the year 70, in Palestine, the Romans were destroying Jerusalem. In the other countries, a great tension between the converted Jews and the non-converted Jews was beginning. The greatest difficulty was the Cross of Jesus. The Jews thought that a crucified person could not be the Messiah who was so awaited by the people, because the law affirmed that all the crucified persons should be considered persons condemned by God (Dt 21, 22-23).
• Mark 8, 22-26: The cure of a blind man. They brought a blind man, asking Jesus to cure him. Jesus cured him, but in a different way. First of all he took him outside the village. Then he put some spittle on the eyes, he placed his hands on him and asked: Do you see something? The man answered: I see men; in fact, they seem like trees that walk! He could see only in part. He exchanged trees for persons, or persons for trees! Only in a second moment Jesus cures the blind man and prohibits him to enter the village. Jesus did not want an easy propaganda.
• As it has been said, this description of the cure of the blind man acts as an introduction to the long instruction of Jesus to cure the blindness of the disciples, and at the end he finishes with the cure of another blind man, Bartimaeus. In reality the blind man was Peter. We are all blind. Peter did not want the commitment of the Cross! And we, do we understand the significance of suffering in life?
• Between the two cures of the blind men (Mk 8, 22-26 and Mk 10, 46-52), is found a long instruction on the Cross (Mk 8, 27 to 10, 45). It seems a catechism, made of phrases of Jesus himself. He speaks about the Cross in the life of the disciple. The long instruction consists of three announcements of the Passion. The first one is that of Mark 8, 27-38. The second is of Mark 9, 30-37. The third one is in Mark 10, 32-45. Between the first one and the second, there is a series of instructions which indicate the type of conversion that should take place in the life of those who accept Jesus, Messiah Servant (Mk 9, 38 to 10, 31):
Mk 8, 22-26: the cure of a blind man
Mk 8, 27-38: first announcement of the Cross
Mk 9, 1-29: instructions to the disciples on the Messiah Servant
Mk 9, 30-37: second announcement of the Cross
Mk 9, 38 to 10, 31: instructions to the disciples on conversion
Mk 10, 32-45: third announcement of the Cross
Mk 10, 46-52: the cure of the blind man Bartimaeus
The whole of this instruction has as a background the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. From the beginning to the end of this long instruction, Mark tells us that Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, where he is going to suffer his death (Mk 8, 27; 9, 30.33; 10, 1.17.32). The full understanding of the following of Jesus is not obtained by theoretical ideas, but by the practical commitment, walking like him along the way of service, from Galilee up to Jerusalem. Any one who insists in keeping the idea of Peter, that is, of a glorious Messiah without the cross, will understand nothing and will never be able to have the attitude of a true disciple. He will continue to be blind, exchanging persons for trees (Mk 8, 24). Because without the cross it is impossible to understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Jesus.
The journey of the following is the road of the gift of self, of abandonment, of service, of availability, of acceptance of conflict, knowing that there will be resurrection. The cross is not an accident on the way, but forms part of this road. Because in a world organized beginning from egoism, love and service can exist only crucified! Anyone who makes of his life a service to others, disturbs, bothers those who lived attached to privileges, and suffer.
4) Personal questions
• All believe in Jesus. But some understand him in one way, others in another. Today, which is the most common Jesus according to the way of thinking of people? How does propaganda interfere in the way of seeing Jesus? What do I do so as not to be drawn by the deceit of the propaganda?
• What does Jesus ask the persons who want to follow him? Today, what prevents you from recognizing and assuming the project of Jesus?
• All believe in Jesus. But some understand him in one way, others in another. Today, which is the most common Jesus according to the way of thinking of people? How does propaganda interfere in the way of seeing Jesus? What do I do so as not to be drawn by the deceit of the propaganda?
• What does Jesus ask the persons who want to follow him? Today, what prevents you from recognizing and assuming the project of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
Lord, who can find a home in your tent,
who can dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever lives blamelessly, who acts uprightly,
who speaks the truth from the heart. (Ps 15,1-2)
Lord, who can find a home in your tent,
who can dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever lives blamelessly, who acts uprightly,
who speaks the truth from the heart. (Ps 15,1-2)
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