Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
I sometimes wonder how well I really know “who” I am. I go through my busy life doing things, going places, scheduling activities, but who is this person that is dashing around. Unfortunately, I often become caught up in who others think I am and what I do. Today’s readings remind me that it is important to stop and take time to see who I am. As a Christian, I am called to see myself not through my eyes, but through the eyes of Christ. With His vision, I will see that I have been created in love, and although I am a sinner, God’s love and forgiveness welcome me back to Him over and over again. It is with this perspective of who I am in the eyes of God that I can best recognize the person He calls me to be. With this vision then my daily activities are no longer a blur of situations, people, and lists of to- dos, but my life becomes a sequence of choices that I make as I answer the call to follow Him and become more and more like Him.
Today’s gospel reading is the story of Jesus and the blind beggar. The blind man hears the commotion and asks what is happening. When he finds out that Jesus is passing by, he calls out to Jesus. Despite other people trying to discourage him, he persists in crying out to Jesus who calls him and asks what he wants. The blind man asks for sight and Jesus responds by saying, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 18: 42) The man receives not only his vision but salvation and follows Jesus “giving glory to God.” I think there are several key points to this story. The blind man recognizes His need for Jesus and cries out to Him. Despite the protests of others, he persists in seeking Jesus. The blind man knows that the most important thing for him is to see- not money or power. Jesus gives him his sight, and with this new vision, the man follows Jesus giving God glory.
As I reflect on this story, I can see myself as the blind man. I lack the vision to see myself as God does. I cry out to Jesus for His mercy and healing. And yet there are voices that attempt to dissuade me from asking for His help. My pride and self righteousness tell me that I do not need Jesus or His grace. My despair and discouragement on the other hand try to convince me that Jesus doesn’t care and my situation is without hope. This is where I need to persevere to seek God. Jesus hears my call and if I ask Him, He will give me the vision to see with His eyes. What will I see? I believe that Jesus wants me to see myself as His beloved- a person created in His image, but because of my sinful nature, in need of His healing and redemption. He wants me to see myself as someone that He loves so much that not only does He want me to have sight, but He wants me to have salvation. When I am given the vision to see myself in this way, then I am able to go through my daily activities placing myself in His care and trusting that He will guide me. My words and actions become an expression of my gratitude of the love that He shares with me. I express my love for Him through how I live, as I become the person that He created me to be. Just like the blind man, with this vision of who I am in God’s eyes, I am able to follow Jesus, and my life will give glory to God. But it does not end there. Since our lives are lived in community, having God’s vision not only affects my life but others. The closing verse in the reading states, “When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.” (Luke 18:43) When others see how I live because of my dependence on Christ, they will also recognize God’s great love and mercy. As those around me see how God has transformed me with His grace and healing, this serves as a reminder that our God is wonderful and mighty, and therefore He is worthy of our praise.
Living with this perspective in my daily life requires daily prayer and reflection. I need to continually be reminded of His vision of me, and not allow the opinions of others to rule my self- worth. When I find success, I must see this as God’s action in my life and give Him the glory. When I fail, I need to be reminded that I am still loved and forgiven. With this understanding of how God sees me, I can be free to live my life as a joyful celebration of all that God has done and will do for me.
"Heavenly Father, You created us because of love. Despite our failings, You love us, and you reconcile us to You through Jesus, your Son. May Your Spirit of healing give us the vision to see ourselves through your eyes, so we can recognize your great love, mercy and compassion for us. May this awareness help us to live our lives in gratitude and love for you, and may all our words and actions bring You glory. We pray all of this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN."
- Marylynn Herchline