Calling Out All the More

Calling Out All the More

Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Piety

But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel.  1 Maccabees 62-64

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me!"  Luke 18:35-39

Study

The first Bible that I ever owned and read was a gift from a retreat in high school.  The American Bible Society distributed “The Good News for Modern Man.”

Today’s pair of readings remind me why we call the New Testament the Good News.  No matter what the crowd tells you to do, if you follow Jesus, then all will be right. The blind man refused to listen to the masses.  In his public prayer, he repeatedly called out to Jesus for help.  Jesus was there to answer his prayers.    

Action

As a recent post from the Maryknoll Missioners advises, “The good news is: Jesus is coming back.”  He will come back to answer our prayers, too.

However, the social media post did not stop there. “The bad news is: Jesus is coming back.  Whether it’s good or bad news depends on if (and how) you’re living your faith.”

If you follow the crowd like some of the people described in the first reading, watch out. Following the teachings of Jesus sometimes requires us to be counter to the norms of culture. They say, “Zig.”  We zag.