19 November 2010: The cure of the blind man at Jericho

“As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what this meant. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by’. He shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Lk 18:35-9)

Let us consider the qualities of the prayer of this blind man. First, it was ‘well-timed’: he learned that Jesus was passing. Moved by grace, he seized the opportunity. He cried out at once. He was heard, and healed. Had he delayed, would he have received his sight?

Second, it was ‘fervent’: spoken from the depths of a heart conscious of its misery. Why are our prayers so cold? Because we do not feel our misery?

Third, it was ‘pressing and persevering’: he cried out and continued to cry though Jesus did not seem to heed him, and those by his side rebuked him. Is lack of perseverance the cause?

Though Jesus seemed not to heed the cries of the blind man, wishing to test his faith and confidence, his Heart was full of compassion for him. “He stood still and ordered the man be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again’.” (Lk 18:40-41)

If God does not immediately grant our petitions, it is for our good. He requires us to express them, not because they are unknown to him, but for our advantage. In so doing, we recognize that all benefits flow from him alone, and show our filial confidence in our heavenly Father.

How wonderfully were the blind man’s faith and perseverance rewarded! “Jesus told him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you’. Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.” (Lk 18:42-3)

Note our Lord’s goodness here. Not only does he give sight to the bodily eyes of the blind man, but he opens the eyes of his soul. In his Benefactor the blind man recognizes the promised Messiah. He follows and blesses him. His enthusiasm infects the surrounding multitude.

Let us, after his example, praise, adore, and glorify our Lord, from whom we have received even greater favors. Let us try to know and love him more and more, and to make others know and love him also.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp722-4

Fulfilling the will of God

“... Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, is our third petition to God in the ‘Our Father’. We pray for the Lord to grant us the necessary graces so we may do his Will on earth, just as the blessed do his Will in heaven. The best prayer is one which transforms our desire into his desire. Thus we will be able to say, ‘Not my will, but thine be done’.

Indeed the principal purpose of all prayer is to identify ourselves with the divine Will. If we pray with this spirit we can always be sure of answers to our prayer. No one is more interested than our Lord in our welfare and happiness. Sometimes unknowingly, we may pray fervently that the divine will coincide with our own.

The challenge is to want and joyfully accept the Will of God always; whether difficult or unknowable. “This is not the capitulation of the weak before the strong. It is a manifestation of the trust between a son and his Father. The Father’s goodness teaches us to become fully human, to discover the grandeur of our divine filiation.” (G Chevrot, “In Secret”, 164)

It can happen that our will coincides with God’s Will. Everything proceeds smoothly. Still, we must not forget, the way to holiness requires purifying our will of its selfish tendencies. This might mean abandoning our most carefully laid-out plans, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways ...” (Is 55:8)

Jesus is the perfect example of adapting ourselves to the Will of God in everything; his constant teaching in the Gospels. We recall the scene in Samaria when, after a whole day’s journey, the Apostles brought him some food to eat. He told them: “My food is to do the Will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” (Jn 4:34)

The Lord wants us to do whatever we can to improve a bad situation, if possible. If this is not to be or if we have to be more patient, let us hold on to our Father God’s hand with renewed trust. As St Paul said amidst a great trial: “With all our afflictions, I am overjoyed.” (2 Cor 7:4)

Our Lady is our model. ‘Be it done unto me’, she said, ‘according to thy word’. May your Will be done, Lord, whenever and however it may please you.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:197-9,201-2

‘Thy will be done ...’

2822 Our Father “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy, 2:3-4). He is “forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish” (2 Peter, 3:9; cf Matthew, 18:14). His commandment is “that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John, 13:34; cf 1 John, 3:4; Luke, 10:25-37). This commandment summarizes all the others, and expresses his entire will.

Ref: “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 1994

Confidence in God

“Job says the life of man upon earth is a continual warfare, conflict. No matter how advanced we are in the spiritual life, we must never expect immunity from temptation ... St Paul wrote, ‘Everyone runs, but not everyone gets a prize. Everyone who strives for the mystery must refrain from many things.’

"St Paul is addressing people who live in the isthmus of Corinth, a place famous at that time for beauty, art, luxury and, consequent on the latter, profligacy. But also a spot rendered famous by the games which took place there.

“Thus, St Paul likens the spiritual life to games, to a race. He is not addressing those who sit under an awning watching and gently applauding the efforts of the athletes. He speaks to those who take part in the race. It is an image of the spiritual life, which entails effort, exertion, and often exhaustion. ...”

Ref: Daniel Considine, SJ. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1557

Our Lady of Good Tidings, in the Abbey of St Victor, which was visited every Saturday by Mary of Medicis. The abbey was founded in 1113 by Louis the Large. — Ex. Archiv. S. Victoris Parisiensis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Our Lady of Good News / Our Lady of Glad Tidings. Venice, Italy. (See September 16, December 12). [...in Abbey of St Victor, which was visited every Saturday by Mary of the Medicis. Abbey was founded 1113 by Louis the Large. (Ex. Archiv. S. Victoria Parisiensis.)"]. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).

Our Lady of Bourdieux (near Bourges, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).